Diabate brings the right fuel to Petro’s BAL quest

First BAL title meant the most to Diabate

SOULEYMANOU Diabate never imagined when he left his homeland of Cote d’Ivoire as a teenager that his name and his game would reach the fame that it has, internationally.

The point guard, popularly known as Solo, who spoke to The Big Tip Off last Thursday, intimated that basketball was one of the reasons he had travelled to France, but he did not, in his wildest dreams, think he would go pro.

“It was one of the best things I experienced. I left my parents at fourteen to go to France to study and play basketball. To reach the level that I did, playing in the French first division, a league second to the NBA, was a blessing. I enjoyed my time there, and now I am back in Africa,” said Diabate, who turned pro in 2006. “Honestly, I just played the game for enjoyment. I did not think of playing the game at the highest level. After two or three years in France, I realised I could go far with the game. The coaches who watched and encouraged me also made me realise I had to take the chance, and I did.”

**Solo Diabate brings title credentials to Petro de Luanda. Pictures: Cheick Haidara**

The 37-year-old spent 15 years playing overseas with countries like France, where his pro career started, Macedonia and China.

While Diabate had a solid playing career abroad, his return to Africa has yielded spectacular returns and enhanced his reputation as a winner. The 1.83m (6 ft0) floor general helped Egyptian super club Zamalek capture the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) title two years ago. A year later, he would become the only player to win back-to-back BAL titles, this time with Tunisia’s US Monastir.

“Returning to Africa almost at the end of my career and getting to play at the BAL has been unbelievable. I am also helping young guys to focus on their dreams, so it’s great thing and I have won two BAL titles. It’s been an amazing experience,” said Diabate.

Despite having bagged two BAL titles, the Ivorian described winning in the league’s debut season, where he averaged eight points, one rebound and three assists per game, as his most memorable.

“Honestly, it was winning with Zamalek. Everything in the team was perfect, and it was the first edition of the BAL. It was a history-making moment because we were the first team to win it. Besides winning the trophy, the team atmosphere was great. I have good memories of that time. Only good memories,” said Diabate, who joined the Angolan club Petro de Luanda last year.

**Solo Diabate has won two BAL titles since returning to the African continent.**

The ambitious Petro, who lost last year’s continental final, will count on Diabate, Carlos Morais, Joan Petro, Ater Majok and Childe Dundão to help them capture a maiden BAL title.

Diabate says expectations are high at Petro, who are in the Nile Conference, which tips off on April 26. The belief is that this is Petro’s year and who can doubt that given the team the Angolan club has put together?

“I think we have a good and balanced team of young and experienced players. Of course, I bring my experience and my game. It’s nice to be here at Petro, even if there is more pressure to win the BAL. It is Petro’s goal, and they want it, so there is pressure on all of us,” said Diabate.

One of the players who will help Petro in their quest towards winning a first BAL crown is centre Majok, a teammate of Diabate’s at title-winning Monastir last year.

Diabate is excited about Majok landing at Petro, and he feels the big man will give the team an added edge.

“I am happy that Majok has joined Petro. We had a good relationship from our time at Monastir. He is a good player and a good guy. His ability to block shots will deter opposing players in the paint. He can also pass, and he is a leader. We have a good team with balance. We now have to prove ourselves on the court,” said the Cote D’Ivoire player.

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Petro will have their title credentials tested against Nile Conference opponents Al Ahly (Egypt), Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique), City Oilers (Uganda) and Seydou Legacy Athletique Club (Guinea).

Diabate is familiar with Al Ahly from his time in Egypt and he is somewhat knowledgeable of the Tigers. The other teams are a closed book to him.

“I do not know much about some of the teams. I know Al Ahly is a solid team, and their coach won the first BAL with us at Zamalek. He is a smart coach, and I’m sure he has put together a great team,” said Diabate. “I also know players from the Cape Town team, especially Evans Ganapamo. What I am also sure of is that our group is going to be tough.

“The team from Mozambique look good. I do not think they are strong, but they are solid. So, we have to be careful, and no disrespect to the other conference but ours has the best teams.”

There is no question that Petro is loaded with talent, and they are championship material, but come the start of the Nile Conference, Diabate and his teammates have to prove they can swim against the coming tide.

* To see Nile Conference fixtures, click here

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Corporate jobs set Hlophe for basketball business

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Hlophe hopes to grow the Bethusile brand on the continent

ANDILE Hlophe is a well-known figure in South African basketball and one of the few wholly invested in the game. What is not widely known is how he, over decade ago, took a leap of faith and invested in the game he loves.

In 2011, the Jozi Nuggets owner and coach traded in the security of a 9-5 job in the financial sector and put all his eggs in basketball. That year, Hlophe started the Bethusile Foundation, a company which provides basketball equipment, and refurbishes and builds new courts.

Since making that decision, Hlophe has had no ounce of regret.

“I believe when you follow your passion, you will be happy for the rest of your life. For me, basketball is my passion, It saved me from a lot of things. If I make money from basketball, then of course, I’ll be happy,” explained Hlophe on Wednesday at St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, where he oversaw the installation of new hoops.

“I worked as a planner for various banking institutions. There was money, but it was not fulfilling because it was commission-based. But I think it trained me to be in the business space,” said the St Benedict’s College coach. “The sports business has a lot of money. Not many people in South Africa recognise that sports have growth potential. It is potential I saw and tapped into. I can say I have had success.”

Initially, he used to advise people where to go or who to get in touch with to find anything related to basketball equipment. While doing so, the bright idea hit, and Hlophe realised he could provide the same service to potential clients.

“People used to contact me to inquire where they could get things like kits or hoops and I would recommend. Eventually, I said, ‘you know what, let me do this myself’. That is when Bethusile came to life,” said the former coach of BNL franchise Mpumalanga Rhinos.

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Hlophe, whose business has expanded to other territories, exclaimed that it was deeply satisfying for his business services to be supporting the basketball ecosystem. His business’ niche area of revitalising courts and manufacturing kits is contributing to a real need within the ecosystem.

“If there was no basketball then my business would not work. Because basketball is taking place, we can grow. We have even provided services outside of South Africa. We provided countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho with basketball equipment,” said Hlophe.

Hlophe’s involvement in the game also extends to coaching where his focus has been on providing a pipeline of talent to South African basketball.

“If kids get an opportunity to play the game and learn its fundamentals, in the long run, the national team will benefit. As a school’s team coach, I try to give as much knowledge to the younger generation so that they can play the game the right way,” said Hlophe.

While he strives to empower young players on the court, Hlophe, who holds a FIBA WABC level 1 certificate, stressed the need to improve himself as a coach.

“It’s important to empower yourself. I cannot remain at the same level as I was five years ago because the game evolves daily. If I have a chance to improve myself, then I must take that opportunity. That is my motto in life,” said Hlophe.

Finally, Hlpohe desires to contribute to growing the number of coaches in basketball in South Africa. He also wants his business to be a first point of reference internationally.

“Business-wise, I hope to be the go-to in sports equipment in Africa. Coaching-wise, I hope to develop twenty-five coaches. When I watch a game, I learn something new. So, when aspiring coaches watch games that I am coaching in and gain something then I am doing something right,” said Hlophe.

Hlophe’s investment in basketball at all levels is a sign that there is a space for growth in the game in South Africa. It also shows the game has bountiful opportunities for potential investors.

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Harouna and ABC ready to fight for BAL title

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Harouna happy to be reunited with Mills

ABDOULAYE Harouna’s family ties to basketball were the catalyst that led to him picking up the game and allowed him to spread his wings.

The shooting guard credits his aunt, a former player and someone whom Harouna has high regard for, as the one who influenced him to “fall in love with game”.

“It was my aunt. That is how I fell in love with the game. I used to watch her play, and, in my opinion, she is one of the best female players I have ever seen from Niger. Whenever she had a game or practice, I would watch her. That is where it all began for me,” said Harouna, who furthered his basketball and studies in the United States.

**Abdoulaye Harouna feels ABC is a balanced team. Pictures: Getty Images**

Since returning from the US, the 31-year-old has played professional basketball on the African continent, specifically in the three-year-old Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Harouna, an ever-present in the league since its inception, has played for Forces Armées et Police (FAP), AS Salé and now, in season 3 is turning out for BAL debutants, ABC Fighters.

The Cote d’Ivoire club has already qualified for the playoffs in Kigali, Rwanda (21-27 May), with a 3-2 record from the Sahara Conference. Before ABC’s last conference game, a 90-71 loss to Mali’s Stade Malien on Tuesday, Harouna spoke to The Big Tip Off about what it means to him to be a professional player on African soil.

“It is always a dream for an African kid to become a pro somewhere in the world. Now they have the opportunity to play on this continent, in front of their family, friends and fans. So, it’s great to have that opportunity here in Africa,” said the former AS Nigelec player.

**Abdoulaye Harouna feels he can still improve as a player.**

Harouna has played at a high level since the BAL came into existence and has averaged 19 points per game in his first two seasons. This season, his scoring average took a tiny dip (18 points per game), but the 1.96m (6ft5) guard is not concerned about his numbers.

The Nigerien player feels the best of him is still to come.

“For me, it’s okay. I would not say that’s the only good aspect of my game. I think I can get better, and there are other areas of my game I can work on. The work and sacrifice I have put in is also starting to pay off. I have to continue finding ways to get better,” said the Fighters guard.

On his journey to improving as a player, Harouna joined his former AS Sale coach Liz Mills at ABC.

Harouna explained that while he is happy to play under Mills, their relationship is not always plain sailing.

“It’s been great because I have worked with her before. We respect each other. We have a past working relationship. That has made things easy. I can also say that now and then, we disagree with each other. But we do find each other. I also understand that she is the coach,” said Harouna. “I think one of her strengths is her ability to take in the input of players. Sometimes as players, we have to rely on our instincts in certain plays. Not every game is the same, and we have to adjust to change as it happens during game time. She understands that, and it is something I appreciate.”

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The veteran guard also explained that he experiences his new team as balanced, unlike his last two teams at the BAL, which were strong on one side but would find themselves lacking on the other.

“What I have seen is that we have a good bench. Our local players are good. They can come in and play, so you don’t have to rely on the imports to play many minutes. The team is well-balanced in offence and defence,” said Harouna. “In my first team, we were good defensively but not good offensively, and we were limited because there were not many options.

“Last year Salè were good in attack but were limited in defence. This year ABC has a good balance at both ends of the floor. That has the potential to make us a great team.”

Harouna feels he is in a situation where he and ABC can capture their maiden BAL title.

He parted by saying they would compete for the BAL title and that it would not fall at their feet.

“We are Fighters. We have to go and fight for what we want. Nobody will hand us the title. We have to go and get it,” concluded Harouna.

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Dakar stepping stone to great things for Thomas and Monastir

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Monastir have a target on their back

LISTENING to Senegalese big man Ibrahima Thomas speak, you get a sense of a man oozing confidence and one willing to give his blood and sweat to help US Monastir defend their Basketball Africa League (BAL) title.

A sense of familiarity also engulfs the 2.13m (7 ft0) centre, who joined the Tunisian super club before the start of the BAL. Some of his teammates were once his rivals when Thomas wore the colours of 13-time Tunisian league champions Etoile Sportive de Rades in 2018.

Also, the Sahara Conference leg of the BAL, which is underway, is taking place at a geographical location well-known to Thomas. Dakar, the capital city of Senegal and Thomas’ birthplace, is the setting where Monastir hope to take the first step in retaining their continental crown.

**Ibrahima Thomas wanted to join a team with a winning culture. Pictures: Getty Images**

And so far, it’s been a decent start for the Tunisians, who have a 2-1 record in their Conference. Monastir secured wins over Stade Malien and Kwara Falcons, while their solitary defeat came at the hands of ABC Fighters on Friday night.

Thomas, who spoke to The Big Tip Off on Thursday, says playing at the Dakar Arena has been a gratifying experience.

“It’s a great feeling… Getting to play in front of your friends and family. We play overseas or in other parts of the continent, and they watch us on tv. But there is nothing better than playing at the stadium and them watching you,” said the 36-year-old. “It’s not only at the stadium but also you being mentioned ‘at home’. I cannot describe that feeling.”

While savouring the feeling of playing in his backyard, Thomas revealed that joining a successful club like Monastir was a no-brainer. A history factor also pushed the former Lion of Teranga player to join the North African club.

“It was easy. I played in Tunisia, and we beat them in a final when I was with Rades. So, I know the players of Monastir, and some of them are my close friends. When I was with our national team, I would also have encounters with them. Some of them were also teammates of mine, so it was an easy decision to make,” said Thomas, who played in the inaugural BAL season for Mali’s AS Police. “They are also a championship team. When you come to a tournament like this, you want to join a winning team. So, joining a team with a winning history and having teammates I know well has made things easy.”

**Ibrahima Thomas has put on great individual performances for Monastir.**

Thomas also feels the BAL champions have a target on their back, and as they navigate the Sahara Conference, they are still having to find their feet as a team.

“In the first BAL, this team finished second, and now they arrive as champions, so they are the team to beat. We have been together for a short time, so we are still building the chemistry. For players like me, Jerome (Randle) and the coach (Linos Gavriel), who got here before the tournament started, it’s a learning process,” said Thomas, a bronze medal winner at the 2013 AfroBasket. “This is not tennis. It’s a team sport. As a team, we can get better when we do things right on the court. Hopefully, it will pay off, and we will qualify for the playoffs in Rwanda. If we do, it will give us time to improve our chemistry because we will have played together for a month.”

Despite Thomas’ notion that team chemistry is an issue, his productivity and numbers have made for good reading. Thomas has notched two double-doubles and one twenty point game (11 pts and 12 rebounds against Stade Malien, 22 pts against Kwara Falcons and 14 pts and ten rebounds against ABC).

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While he has had a great start in his first three games, Thomas has not gotten carried away.

“It’s basketball, and I have come here to play. As I said, this is a team sport. Yesterday (Wednesday), I had a twenty-point game, and maybe in the next game, I might have a twenty-rebound game,” said Thomas. “You have to see what the opposing defence gives. You have to study the ins and outs of the game. So far it’s been good for our team.”

Despite the slip-up against ABC Fighters, third-placed Monastir are still on course to qualify for the quarterfinals in Kigali. Their championship pedigree could count in their favour in the final fixtures against REG, who have already qualified for the last eight, and AS Douanes.

And with a seasoned campaigner like Thomas performing at peak level, the chips could still fall in the direction of Monastir.

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Perry hungry for redemption in BAL Season 3

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Beira will lean on past experience

AFTER a disappointing first appearance at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) last year, Ferroviario da Beira’s Will Perry feels he and his teammates need to make amends in season three, which is in progress.

Beira, the four time champions of the Mozambique domestic league, were not expected to be among the contenders for the BAL title but fell short of the expectation that they could give a strong showing.

Also, given how Beira powered through the Road To BAL Elite 16 Division East qualifiers in 2021, the neutrals who thought the Mozambicans would turn heads could not have been wrong in having high expectations.

**Will Perry feels Beira are a better team this year. Pictures: The BTO**

But after finishing with a 1-4 record in the Sahara Conference, the Locomotivas found themselves on an early flight back home.

The American point guard Perry, who was one Beira’s shining lights in their disappointing BAL campaign, spoke with a sense of realism about the preparation required for this type of league.

“Uhm, Man… It’s a tough competition, but that was not surprising. I knew we were going to face difficult teams. Until you are on the court, that’s when you learn how good or strong the team has to be to move forward in the league,” said Perry, who spoke to The Big Tip Off last Thursday.

“These are the best twelve teams in Africa, so there is no doubt about the degree of difficulty. I want to play better individually and help lead the team to the final eight (this year) or maybe even further.

“As a point guard, I learnt I have to play well in every game. I can’t have one bad day or two of them because we will not make it. There are just not that many games.”

At an individual level, the 29-year-old Perry posted some impressive statistics for Beira in their maiden BAL season. The skillful point guard put up 14 points, four rebounds and five assists in season two of the BAL.

Despite his good numbers Perry, who is in his second season with Beira, says he would have preferred more wins. He also demands more from himself this season.

“If you asked me to trade my stats to win three games, I would do it. I would rather win games than have good stats. Last year I played well, but this year I want to play even better,” said the well-travelled Perry.

“I feel more ready this season. My aim is to reduce the number of turnovers per game. I shot a high percentage last year, but I think I can shoot even better. Overall, I was pleased with myself in last year’s BAL, but I think I can play better. That is my plan.”

The 1.83m (6ft0) guard says the lessons Beira picked up from last year’s BAL have prepared them for this season.

“I think we are slightly better this year and more experienced. The coach, my teammates and I have experience. Also, the new players (Makhtar Gueye, Najeal Young, Borama Sidibe and Yuran Biosse) will help the team. I think we are slightly better, we plan on making the final eight, but we are in a tough group,” said the former Lenoir-Rhyne Bears player.

Perry’s assertion that Beira, who are in the Nile Conference, “are in a tough group” is not off the mark. The Mozambicans begin their campaign in Cairo, Egypt (26 April – 6 May) and will play in the opening game of the Nile Conference against hosts Al Ahly, who are making a first appearance at the BAL.

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Along with the Egyptian giants, Beira’s group also includes Petro de Luanda (Angola), Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), City Oilers (Uganda) and Seydou Legacy Athletique Club (Guinea), also known as SLAC.

“Al Ahly and Petro are perennial powerhouses in African basketball. We know Cape Town and have played against them a couple of times. They are a team with good talent. City Oilers are a tough side, and SLAC beat us last year in the group stages,” said Perry, who has also played for Tigers BBC in Rwanda.

“All the teams are going to be tough. The team we know the most is Cape Town. We have also scouted Al Ahly and watched some of their players. They have a good domestic league in Egypt, and they are playing games right now. It is easy to keep up with what they are doing. So yeah, that’s what we know about the teams in our group.”

After being served with a reality check last year, Perry and Beira must prove that they can turn the corner, and while it will not be easy to navigate their group, they can rely on their experience to chart a new path for themselves.

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Mills spells out ABC’s BAL aspirations

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WHEN season three of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) tips off in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday, ABC Fighters coach Liz Mills will have a singular goal in mind. That is to restore Cote d’Ivoire’s most successful club’s image on the continent.

In the early 2000s, ABC enjoyed a period of success in the defunct FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup. Their crowning moment was becoming champions of the tournament in 2005, and on either side of their trophy win, they captured silver (2004) and bronze (2007). Since then ABC have been unable to replicate or come near those feats in continental basketball.

While Mills, who spoke to The Big Tip Off on Thursday, acknowledged the club’s past glory days at the continental level, she knows her team can write a new chapter for themselves in their debut season at the BAL.

“They have always been a competitive team, but it’s been a while since they have been back at this level. I want to put this team back on the continental map. This club has a long history. I think they deserve to be spoken about in a more revered manner,” said Australia-born Mills.

Initially, Mills took a coy tone about the ambition of the 20-time Ivorian league champions ahead of the BAL tournament.

“We are flying under the radar. People are not saying we are favourites or a team to look out for. I think that is to our advantage. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” said Mills, who made her BAL debut as coach of AS Sale last year.

But the question is, are the Fighters a closed book and do they have the element of surprise on their side?

The question emanates from the fact that the Abidjan based-club won the Road To BAL Division West qualifiers last year, which culminated in qualification to the BAL. Mills’ milestones in the African game have also not gone unnoticed, so she and ABC would surely be hard to miss.

Mills, who has been impressed by the ABC players, says that things have changed in the team since the Road To BAL qualifiers, and she may have a trick or two up her sleeve at the tournament.

“It’s a different team, and we play differently compared to how the team played last year in the qualifiers. Credit must go to the local players. In the last six weeks they have grasped many new concepts and systems. They have exceeded my expectations,” said Mills, who took over the coaching reins after ABC qualified for the BAL. “People can go back and watch films of previous games, but that is not what we will show on the court. What I can say is, we will be an exciting team to watch.”

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With players like veteran leader Stéphane Konaté, Nigerian big man Chris Obekpa, shooting guard Abdoulaye Harouna (Niger), Chudier Bile (South Sudan) and American point guard Alex Robinson in their line-up, ABC look like they will serve up some mouth-watering basketball.

Mills spoke glowingly about the value add of Ivorian international Konaté and the newcomers to the team.

“When I was recruiting for ABC, my priority was to sign players of high character. The four players that we brought in, Abdoulaye Harouna, Chris Obekpa, Chudier Bile and Alex Robinson, fit that mould and are defence-orientated. You can’t win at the BAL if you do not have players who can play defence,” said Mills. “Having a leader like Stéphane Konaté is an honour and a pleasure. His experience and leadership made my arrival as a coach seamless. He is also the bridge between the players and the coaches.

“The chemistry that we have built in the short time we have been together is because of him.”

**Stephane Konate’s leadership according to Liz Mills has been pivotal for ABC. Picture: FIBA**

ABC are in the Sahara Conference group along with last year’s champions US Monastir (Tunisia). AS Douanes (Senegal), Kwara Falcons (Nigeria), Rwanda Energy Group and Stade Malien (Mali) complete the group.

Looking at the Sahara Conference, the favourites to make it out of the group would be Monastir. After that, it’s left to the other four teams to battle it out for the remaining three playoff spots.

Mills also agreed that ABC’s group is a fairly open one.

“You have to respect that Monastir are the defending champions. But what makes this Conference exciting is that it is an open race. I think you might see some upsets in this group. Some teams are already talking about titles. For us, our first target is the playoffs,” said Mills, whose team takes on Douanes on opening night.

“We are excited to kick off the season against the hosts. We expect a great crowd. Also, there is a rivalry between the Ivorians and Senegalese, so it will make things interesting. We are confident heading into that game.”

As Mills plots ABC’s path to restoration, she knows that when the curtains open for BAL season three, only victory can return the giant Ivorian club to the continental map.

* To see fixtures click here

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Neto and Petro have a thirst for continental success

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Angolan giants ready to start from scratch

PETRO de Luanda have a burgeoning thirst brewing inside of them. It’s a thirst that can be quenched by winning a trophy at the continental level.

The Angolan super club last saw an African title decorate their trophy cabinet eight years ago (2015). So after a couple of near misses, could this be the year their continental trophy drought ends?

In the last two editions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the two-time FIBA African Club Champions Cup winners have fallen short at the knockout phases of the competition. Instead of living by the creed of third time being a charm, the Angolan club’s coach Josè Neto feels his team needs to start from scratch.

“Yes, we made it to the semi-final in the first edition and the final in the last edition. But we are not entitled to anything in the third edition. We have to start from the bottom. Then we have to try and climb our way to the top,” said the Brazilian coach on Thursday.

Petro are in the middle of their domestic league, and the consistent run of games serves as good preparation for the BAL, which tips off in Dakar, Senegal (11-21 March). Under Neto’s guidance, the 15-time Angolan league champions have gone on a 59-game unbeaten run domestically, which ended after a 97-95 loss to Inter Clube.

Neto attributes their brilliant run of form to the system in place at the club.

“We are in our third season and had our first loss after 60 games last month. So, one loss after 60 games is a testament to the quality of the work we have been doing. It’s not just the defeat and the wins. It is also how we have been playing. It shows that it works for us,” said the two-time Angolan league-winning coach. “So our style of play gives us hope that we are on the right track and can continue winning games.

“Also, consistency is important, in my opinion. So once we have established that and every player understands how we want to play, it’s a big push forward.”

As Petro prepares to capture a maiden BAL title, they bolstered their squad with a couple of signings. Landing the services of Cote d’Ivoire super star point guard Solo Diabate and American-born small forward Damian Hollis could significantly improve the chances of the Angolan club.

Diabate, especially, comes with a championship pedigree. The 35-year-old won his first two BAL titles with Zamalek (Egypt) and US Monastir (Tunisia). Neto intimated that Diabate’s joining is crucial to the team, especially as he has developed a knack for winning.

“He knows what it feels like to win. Diabate has played at this level before, so we are thrilled to have him as part of our group and look forward to whatever positive contributions he might bring to the team,” said the 2022 BAL coach of the year. “

Petro Team — **Petro’s Gerson Goncalves, Carlos Morais and Jone Pedro, right, have formed a part of the team’s core. Picture: The BTO**

The Ivorian has joined experienced heads like the legendary Carlos Morais, Jone Pedro, Childe Dundao and Gerson Goncalves, who form the core of the Petro squad. The Angolan internationals played in the first two BAL competitions, and Neto says the quartet add value to the team.

“Not only have they adjusted to our way of playing, but also they have helped to pass knowledge to other players. They are like my echo to new players on how I would want the team to play,” said Neto, who won the 2014 FIBA Intercontinental title. “Only two teams have played all editions of the BAL. That is Petro and Monastir. In our club, four players have been part of this process. You would think them still being here would weaken us, but instead, they have been key in helping other players buy into our system.”

Petro, who are in the Nile Conference, which takes place in Egypt (26 April – 6 May), will face off against host club Al Ahly, Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique), City Oilers (Uganda) and Guinea’s Seydou Legacy Athletique Club (SLAC).

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Neto acknowledged that his team is in a tricky group as their opponents, the Tigers, SLAC, and Ferroviario, have gone through the journey of the Road To BAL qualifiers. So it is not by chance that the three teams are in the mix. He also expects Egyptian champions and league debutants Al Ahly to give a good showing on home soil.

“It’s not an easy group by any stretch of the imagination. We are in a tough group. Out of the five teams, three made it through the qualifiers. So they know what the BAL is about. Al Ahly are at home and will try to make the most of their advantage,” said Neto, a FIBA Americas League winner in 2014. “We must approach each game like a final and not think about getting to that stage. Every game we play, we should treat it as a step toward a higher goal.

“We should not get ahead of ourselves and think about the final. If we do, we may never get there this season.”

The BAL may be a few weeks away, but Neto his team has the right ingredients: a winning attitude and a hunger to win more.

“One of the strengths in this team is the desire to win. The players are thirsty for victory. They have developed and enjoy a culture of winning. So, naturally there is a thirst for more,” concluded the successful Neto.

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Makoni finds solace on the basketball court

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VUT’s success has come at a price

AT 24 years old, Emma Makoni is one of the most decorated players in South African basketball, a player who has achieved team and individual success, but for her, the basketball court is a space that gives her peace of mind.

The Zimbabwean international player has enjoyed success at the Basketball National League (BNL) and University Sport South Africa (USSA) levels.

Makoni, a guard/forward, is a student at one of South Africa’s revered basketball programs, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). Since 2018, Makoni has been a part of a VUT women’s team dynasty that has captured four USSA titles.

**Emma Makoni is one of the VUT team leaders. Pictures: The BTO**

The championship runs have enhanced VUT’s reputation, but Makoni, who spoke to The Big Tip Off on Monday, says there have been detractors as well.

“Honestly, it has been amazing, but the success has a price. Not everybody is going to show you love. Even though we won last year, some people were not happy. I remember people roasting us on social media. They complained that we have been winning for too long and that it is time to give others a chance,” said Makoni, who holds a post graduate degree in Cost and Management Accounting.

The feats of the Vaal women’s team have been extraordinary, but they have, as Makoni explained, taken a physical and emotional toll. As a student-athlete on a scholarship, she has had to make sure that she keeps up with her academic and sporting obligations.

“It has been challenging. There would be times when I would go to my room and cry because I felt overwhelmed,” said Makoni. “I remember during my first year at VUT. We played in many leagues and tournaments.

“So, you have to find time to study during the week and weekends. It was quite overwhelming, but I managed to strike the right balance.”

The 5ft10 player felt team unity was key to their success: “It’s about our togetherness as a team. Most of us stay in the same accommodation and spend time together. Vaal is a small town, so you see the same faces.

“So, the chemistry that we have built makes things easy on the court.”

Makoni’s success with VUT has also seen her become a back-to-back (2021 and 2022) USSA MVP. Looking back at her accolades, Makoni says when she won her first title, she was at peak form, but things were slightly tough last year.

“In 2021, I had things figured out. I was working out and fit, so it was easy on the court. I checked the games of that time, I scored twenty three points per game and I led in assists and steals,” said Makoni. “Last year was challenging. I had other responsibilities, but my coach pushed me and reminded I did not have to do eveything on the court alone. He wanted me to lead the team, so thing worked out well.”

Makoni’s achievements did not stop at the varsity level. In between winning the USSA championships, she would, for two years running, win WBNL titles with the Egoli Magic (2020) and Tshwane Suns (2021). In 2020, the inaugural season of the women’s league saw Makoni walk away with the MVP title.

The road to those WBNL titles presented contrasting fortunes for Makoni.

“Winning with Egoli Magic was easy because I played some of my Vaal teammates, and there were some alumni too. Also, having coach Zanele (Ngwenya) on the sidelines made things easy because he is always there to motivate players,” said Makoni, the only player to have won back-to-back WBNL titles. “When I switched teams, it was tough because we had to play Egoli Magic in the semi-finals. That week, I had terrible anxiety because I felt like I had betrayed Egoli.

“There were some issues because of the move I made. So the Suns winning that game was a relief because it would have had it rough at school.”

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Makoni’s trophy-laden spell in South Africa has led to a national team call-up ahead of the Zone VI AfroBasket qualifiers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (20-28 February).

Basketball may be challenging and have its pressures, but Makoni keeps coming back. Why?

“Sanity. When I am having a bad day, going to the court and holding that ball keeps me sane,” concluded Makoni.

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Prinsloo talks fatherhood and BAL desire

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Tigers are locked in defensively

TURNING 31-years-old has given second year Cape Town Tigers captain Pieter Prinsloo a mature outlook on life.

Prinsloo, who celebrated his birthday in January, realises as he gets older, the window of opportunity to win is closing. Also, after many years playing overseas, the Tigers’ big man feels ready to settle in one place.

The former Marist Red Fox says being at the Tigers offers him an opportunity to become a family man and to build better bonds within basketball.

**Tigers captain Pieter Prinsloo does battle with Ngor Barnabar of the Oilers. Pictures: The BTO**

“I have enjoyed my career and the chance to see different parts of the world and to experience diverse cultures, but you get to a certain point where you are happy to be in a fixed location every year. When you play in a different country every season, it becomes hard to build permanent relationships,” said Prinsloo, speaking from Nicaragua earlier in the year. “Being based in South Africa allowed me to build relationships. I reconnected with guys like (Lebesa) Selepe, who I played with on the national team. Chris Gabriel is no longer at the Tigers, but we remain close friends. Also, Lebo (Mofokeng) and I lived together when we joined the team.

“It is also difficult because I have to travel to Nicaragua to see my son. But his mother and I have agreed that I bring him to South Africa to live with me for his education and other opportunities. So in the next six months, he will be coming, which is great for me as I can be a dad while still doing my job.”

Prinsloo described the difficulty of being a parent and a professional player at the same time.

“It’s hard man. It’s a hard thing to leave your kid behind for months at a time because it’s your career that is how you take care of them. Being a father has been one of the greatest experiences for myself and knowing the relationship I have with my father, I would want the same for my son.

“My dad did everything possible to make sure the family is taken care of. So it was my mom who attended at a lot of my sporting events because dad was making sure everything is good at home. When he had time he would come and support me. It’s concept I understand being in my profession, where had to be away from my son at certain months in the year. Now with my son coming, he’ll have chance grow up around basketball and a different culture. He will have a bunch uncles from the team, it’s something I see as a blessing.”

As Prinsloo strives to get his family matters in order, he also has to turn his attention to the business on the basketball court. The Tigers captain and his teammates are preparing for a second appearance at the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which tips off in Dakar, Senegal (11-21 March).

The BAL may be a month away, but while on holiday in Central America, the 6ft10 forward had reflect about the league and being at the winning end this year.

“I have been looking forward to what is coming and wondering if we will be in Dakar or Cairo. I think we understand the importance of the games this time around. We can’t afford to drop games,” said the former Universdade de Concepcion player. “The concentration needs to be different this year. That is what has preoccupied my mind. I would also like to add another championship to my rèsumè.

“I’m thirty-one, and the years I have left to play at this level are getting less. We did well last year and the results have shown. The team’s roster and chemistry have improved a great deal.”

Prinsloo has observed this year’s Tigers unit is adept defensively, and they will not solely rely on trying to beat their opponents at the attacking end like they tried to in their debut season at the BAL.

“I feel like we are a lot more locked in defensively. We understand that defence is a big thing and that we can’t always try to outscore teams. It is an important aspect of the game because there will be nights when things are off in offence,” said the big man. “That is why management made adjustments to the roster. Talent on paper is not the best thing for a team. At last year’s BAL we were considered a top team in terms of talent, especially looking at our starting five. But having the most talented team does not mean we will win.”

“Sometimes we need guys in certain positions to fulfil specific roles on the court and make the right plays. I understand everyone likes to score, but there is only one basketball. So we need guys that can fit into the system as well.”

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Since they arrived in South Africa, the Tigers, who qualified for this year’s tournament at the Road To BAL qualifiers held last year in Johannesburg, have made no secret about their desire to win the main event. Prinsloo, who already echoed a similar sentiment, says they have learnt lessons from their debut appearance. He also issued a warning statement to teams that will take this group of hungry Tigers lightly this year.

“I feel like if anybody underestimates us, they will be in for a bad night. We were in the quarter-finals despite our chemistry issues last year,” said Prinsloo. “We have players and a coach (Florsheim Ngwenya) who has done a super job with us. He has attention to detail, from how he prepares us for practice to his management in game situations.

“We made significant progress late last year, and in my opinion, I don’t see us outside of the championship game.”

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Juruni to add firepower to the Oilers ahead of BAL

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Continuity is key for the Oilers

FOR Ugandan club, City Oilers, qualifying for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) seemed like a feat they could only dream of rather than realise. That was until last year.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, at the Elite 16 Road to BAL qualifiers (a round where they have twice fallen short), the Oilers finally put their past qualifying disappointments aside and lived up to their potential by making it to the third edition of one of Africa’s premier basketball competitions this year.

While there is a lot to cheer about on the success of the nine-time Ugandan National Basketball League champions, the team’s long-serving coach Mandy Juruni reflected on his team’s previous qualifying campaigns, which ended in disappointment, and he felt that had built up to this achievement.

“This has been a learning curve for us. In our first attempt (in 2019) in Rwanda, we got knocked out in the semi-finals by the host club, the Patriots. We also lost the third-place qualifying game against Ferroviario de Maputo,” said the decorated Juruni earlier in the year. “The second time (in 2021), we wanted to qualify, but we could not travel to South Africa due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“These were learning experiences for us as a group, and we cannot trade them away. We can only get better, and now when we head to the BAL, we want to go there and compete and not just make the numbers. We want to be a competitive unit.”

Preparations for the BAL (taking place in Dakar 11-21 March, Cairo 26 April-6 May and Kigali 21-27 May) have already begun for the Oilers, who beat Burundi’s Urunani in a third-place play-off game in Johannesburg to qualify for this year’s tournament.

“We have already started with our preparations. Right now, we are in the phase of organising our roster together. We are also putting plans in place to get us ready for the tournament,” said one of Uganda’s most successful club coaches.

**Oilers will look to retain the services of Germaine Roebuck Jr ahead of the BAL.**

In terms of the playing personnel, 40-year-old Juruni hopes to retain the services of American players Germain Roebuck Jr and Falando Cortez Jones. Roebuck Jr, who started the journey with the Oilers in preliminary qualifiers in Tanzania last year, and Cortez Jones were key points contributors to the Ugandan club’s cause.

Guard Roebuck Jr’s 21 points and 11 rebounds against Urunani in the third-place qualifier ensured that the Ugandan club qualified for their maiden BAL tournament. Guard/forward Cortez Jones had a memorable 40-point game in a semi-final loss to the Cape Town Tigers.

“They (Roebuck Jr and Cortez Jones) are a big part of our team and process. We are happy with what they did for us in the first and second rounds of the Road to BAL,” said Juruni. “What will be important for our team is to maintain the continuity put in place in the last round. We have built a team where players know each other, the system and the coach. So, we don’t want to change everything because we are going to the BAL.

“I think having continuity, improving as a team and certain positions is key for us.”

Apart from retaining the core of his squad and the two American star players, Juruni has also identified some positions that may need attention ahead of the BAL competition.

“We want to improve the team and have a roster that can compete at that level. We know we lacked a little bit of size at the forward position. At the five as well, we may need to add another big man,” said Juruni. “We need to improve on our scoring as well. Two players carried the load in South Africa, and at some point three. We need to be a team that has scoring options. We should not find ourselves in a situation where our top players play forty minutes of basketball.

“Like what Jones went through for us to compete against Cape Town. We need to improve our bench, and make sure there is enough firepower for us to compete at that level.”

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With the BAL tournament just around the corner, the Oilers have also planned for the team to get much-needed match fitness.

“We plan to have a camp in Egypt. There are some friendly games in the pipeline. We are also trying to organise a regional tournament to get our locally-based players ready. And at the moment they are doing individual work, but next month we will come together for our camp,” concluded Juruni.

Juruni and the Oilers seem to have covered their bases ahead of Africa’s blue-ribbon club competition. As they continue their preparation for the BAL they will remind themselves what it took to get to this stage. When first jump ball of the league launches the Oilers will know they have finally arrived.

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Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla

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