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Ntlali shaping the basketball culture at Maties

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Maties ended 2022 on a high note

WHEN one thinks of the small but vibrant town of Stellenbosch, good wine, fine dining and beautiful landscapes are the first things that come to mind.

From a sporting perspective, rugby is a favourite pastime, synonymous with one of South Africa’s oldest towns. But in recent times, basketball has been one of the codes fighting to become part of the town’s sports palate, especially at Stellenbosch University (SU).

Maties men’s head coach Masibulele Ntlali is one of the catalysts who has helped the sport gain prominance at the institution. Ntlali, who began the journey at Maties with the current University of Pretoria women’s team coach Kimathi Toboti in 2017, says they needed a change in scenery after a successful spell at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

“I think we were in a comfort zone at our previous job at CPUT. We had achieved everything we wanted nationally and within the province. In my first year at CPUT in 2014, we made it to the final of the USSA tournament,” said Eastern Cape-born Ntlali.

“So for myself, moving from CPUT, where basketball was a priority code, to Stellenbosch where it was a recreational activity, I saw it as a challenge and a way to gauge the impact I would have over here (Stellenbosch). It was a way of trying something new and understanding that the program had potential. That is why I decided to make the move.

“I had a wider scope to implement the things that suited the program here (Stellenbosch).”

**Masibulele Ntlali believes Maties job was a step out of his comfort zone. Pictures: The Big Tip Off**

In switching to Maties, Ntlali was also cognisant that he had the gigantic task of trying to change the attitudes at the university, and he had to make mental adjustments of his own.

“It has been a long journey. The idea of coaching in Stellenbosch was foreign. I came from a culturally different institution and worked with people with whom I shared the same values,” said the former CPUT player. “Stellenbosch was different. I had to adapt to a new environment where basketball was initially not recognised at the university. So, I had to work on changing the minds of the management, the student-athletes and the Stellenbosch community.

“Luckily for us, the management came on board, and we were able to implement a student centred program.”

Ntlali, a former junior national team coach, says they had to overcome some infrastructural challenges to get their program going at the university.

“Basketball is an indoor sport, which can pose a problem from a development perspective. So, we had to encourage the institution’s leadership to build outdoor courts, which allowed us to run a campus league. This was a way of marketing the sport, and people could, on specific days, see that basketball was taking place,” said Ntlali, who works in Western Cape’s civil service. “After building momentum with the campus league. We then moved it indoors as a high-performance code. We could then engage with the management about the needs of the sport at that level and fortunately they (management) have been supportive.”

The Maties men’s program has reaped the rewards from the synergy of both parties (management and coaching staff), and December 2022 was the season to sow for the team. While the performances at the USSA’s were something to write home about, the Stellenbosch coach feels the groundwork done to get basketball going tops his highlights at SU.

“The first milestone was the day basketball became a high-performance code. It meant we had changed the perception about basketball at the university,” said Ntlali. “The second was presenting a three-year plan for the program. Initially, the university gave me a two-year contract, but I said, ‘no, that is not how the program runs’. So, being able to change the attitude of the management and getting them to understand that results do not come overnight is a big achievement.

“The third was taking the team to Kenya for a 3X3 tournament. It was a different kind of exposure for the team. And lastly, the recent USSA’s where we finished fourth, and our win of the three on three tournament were cherries on top.”

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Coaching basketball may be Ntlali’s primary role at Stellenbosch, but he stressed the concept of a student-athlete and outlined how the team is recruited. Before the players even think about stepping on the court, they must remember they are there to obtain an education.

“We run a four to five-year program, which centres around the students. They need to leave here (Stellenbosch) with a degree. That is important to me,” said Ntlali. “On the basketball front, we want to build a strong program that positively impacts the province and the country. So, any player who chooses to study at Stellenbosch comes here because they want a quality education and they are using their talent to access it.

“Winning the USSA’s is part of the bigger picture, but ensuring players get an education is our main priority. We do not have a big budget, so I cannot make wild promises to students about scholarships. If a student wants to play basketball at Stellenbosch, they do it with the understanding that they are here to study. And the programme recruits based on student applications. Once they are here, we see how best to assist with scholarships and sharpening their basketball skill.”

The Stellenbosch program seems headed in the right direction, and with Ntlali at the helm, great things could be in store.

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Matsie revels in the TUT challenge

Selepe is living out his basketball dreams

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Tigers eyeing a return to the BAL

THE latter part of 2021 saw combo guard Lebesa Selepe face a crossroads as a man and basketball player. It was also a time of revelation for him.

Soweto-born Selepe, a part-time player at the time, was facing turmoil at his previous workplace in the financial sector, and his relationship with Jozi Nuggets owner and coach, Andile Hlophe had gone south.

The 31-year-old revealed that things began to unravel for him during his transition to the Cape Town Tigers. It was in that period of unravelling that the doors of opportunity would also open for Selepe. The Cape Town club were keen on his services ahead of last year’s Elite 16 tournament of the Road To BAL and fortunately for him, his trial was successful.

“Former coach Relton Booysen hit me up to find out if I was available for a workout with the team (Tigers). At the time, I was on suspension at work and about to be dismissed. So, I had time,” said Selepe at the Mandeville Sports Complex last Friday. “At the workout, team owner Rah (Raphael Edwards) liked what he saw. I also clicked with most of the players in the team.”

**Lebesa Selepe has realised some his dreams since he turned pro. Pictures: The Big Tip Off**

When questioned about the prospect of losing a regular income and his state of mind at the time, Selepe says he had experienced far worse. Also, the words once spoken by his mom during a time of adversity have always given him the perspective he needed when he was facing such predicaments.

“I’d like to take you to the worst grief I have ever felt. It was when my father passed on. My mom said something profound to me. ‘Yes, we are mourning, and it’s a dark time, but we have to keep moving. We have to make funeral arrangements, so if you want to cry, do it at the funeral parlour. Cry while getting things done,'” said the former South African international player. “So when it came to the job, mentally and emotionally, I knew it was a hard hit. I had lost my livelihood but now another chance to do what I loved had also presented itself.”

Selepe used his opportunity to immerse himself wholly in basketball. With the Tigers, he had become a professional player, and another opportunity opened up for him in media.

“I have always wanted to be involved in all aspects of basketball… to be a commentator, and to coach. There was no time for me to sit and wallow about losing my job because things were beginning to happen. I had the opportunity to play in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was a dream come true for me. I had to move forward and put it behind me,” said the former Vaal University of Technology student and player.

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Before becoming a full-time player with the Tigers, Selepe thought the gig with the Cape-based club would be short-term as he still had a sentimental attachment to the Nuggets. Instead, it became a journey where he would achieve some career milestones as a player.

“When I left the Nuggets, I thought it would be a temporary move. I did not think the Tigers and I would have a long-term relationship or I would play in the BAL for them. I thought they only wanted me for the Elite 16,” said the former Jeppe Boys High student. “In my mind I thought I would return to the Nuggets, but my relationship with coach Andile hit a dip. We are on talking terms now, but at that time, I did not think I could still play for him. It’s part of the reason I’m no longer at the Nuggets.”

The chapter on the Nuggets has since closed, and the Tigers and Selepe experienced their first BAL tournament this year, where they bowed out at the quarter-final stage. Despite the surreal experience of being at the continental tournament, Selepe felt when he got his minutes at the BAL, he played below expectation.

“The BAL is one of the biggest stages I have played on in my career. Each day I prepared myself, training and hitting the weight room. Even when I talked about it, I still could not believe I was going to be on the biggest stage in Africa. I played at the 2017 AfroBasket, which was my first major competition, and four years later, it’s the BAL,” said Selepe. “The emotions were a lot, which impacted how I played as I was not in my element. I was part of a new team and going to a big stage. Those things affected me.

“I also did not play much, and when I did play, I was bit frustrated. But I will say this, it was a great position to be in, and I cannot wait to be there again.”

The Tigers would exit their first BAL tournament after a quarter-final loss to eventual champions US Monastir. Selepe’s assessment of their debut season was that they took their eye off the ball early on in the games.

“Against Monastir, we repeated the mistake we made against Petro and Zamalek in the group stage. We went to sleep and got punished and we played outside of our system. So it’s something we have improved on (playing within the system). We have also worked on limiting our turnovers, taking bad shots, and stopping the opposition runs,” said Selepe. “I know it sounds cliché, but in basketball, you must concentrate for forty minutes. It was not the case against Monastir. It was a twelve-point game in the third quarter and fifteen point game at the end of the same quarter. In the fourth, you could see early on that we were going to lose the ball game.

“We were down by thirty, and things got ugly real quick because we played outside the system. What we learnt in recent games against the NBA Academy and Petro is that playing within the system can lead to a game being decided by a few things. A free throw, a rebound or a bucket. So it’s just those minor details.”

The Tigers and Selepe will not have to wait long for their shot at making a return to the BAL next year. With the Elite 16 Division East Road To BAL qualifier soon to take place (22 to 27 November), the Cape club who will host the tournament in Johannesburg is raring to go.

The South African club are in Group A alongside Burundian club, Urunani, the NBA Academy and the Kenya Ports Authority. Looking at the group, the Tigers, who have loft ambitions will face stiff competition from all three teams.

“We want to finish the Elite 16 without a defeat. It is something we have spoken about, trying to finish the year undefeated. Unfortunately that did not happen. We lost to Petro and the NBA Academy and those are losses we can take,” said Selepe. “Looking at our group, we know anything can happen on this continent, and any team can beat you. That is why we must lock in so that we can send a message. A loud one! We don’t only want to qualify for the BAL. We want to win the BAL.

“That will show in how we play. We feel we are 23 points better than our opposition but we now have to show it when the lights are on.”

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Toboti aims to make Tuks a force in SA basketball

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Tuks determined to make it to a second USSA final

IN a results orientated profession like sports, the focus remains on always winning, meaning matters like development and the wellbeing of players sometimes become secondary.

The University of Pretoria’s (Tuks) first-team ladies’ basketball coach Kimathi Toboti shares a different perspective. For him, player development and wellbeing are a primary concern and focus. They rank high in Toboti’s priorities as a coach and far outrank any piece of silverware he could win.

“One of the reasons I enjoy coaching at this level is seeing a kid come to an institution and leave a better person. The wins are nice and to see players make it to the national team or become all-stars are good achievements. But more fulfilling is seeing players who could not dribble with their left hand or did not understand help defence become better players,” said Toboti at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall, last Thursday.

Toboti, who was speaking after his team practice, wants players under his tutelage to use the opportunity they have to study as way of changing their own circumstances as well.

“What I want to see is players grow. I want to see players from poor backgrounds arrive here and do courses they like. We must encourage them to pass,” said Toboti, a former South African women’s national team coach. “I don’t want players to stay here for seven years and leave with a four-year degree. Players must come in, get their degrees and work on changing their own lives and those of their families.

“I don’t want a situation where we hold on to players because we want to win. I want to make sure we grow players. That is my vision.”

**Tuks coach Kimathi Toboti talks strategy during the GUBL tournament. Pictures: The Big Tip Off**

While Toboti, who took on the Tuks coaching reins in September 2020, desires for players to better themselves, he also plans on building a basketball program to be reckoned with in the country.

“I want Tuks to be a powerhouse in South African basketball, and that begins with having games. We want to be able to host games and have supporters come and watch us play,” said Toboti. I think that is the first thing. We want to grow basketball in the institution so that we can be a high-performance code. It can only happen when there are spectators at this (Rembrandt Hall) venue and us playing in competitive matches.

“I know people are talking about us, but we are not where we need to be as a program. We won a couple of tournaments last year and made it to a couple of finals this year, but we are not among the top teams in the country. We want to be there, but work needs to be done.”

Toboti, who works in the information technology sector, is no stranger to rebuilding the basketball programs of universities. During his seven-year stay at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, he revitalised that program and alongside Masibulele Ntalie raised the profile of the University of Stellenbosch’s program. So the Tuks ladies program is in good hands and Toboti has enjoyed his time thus far.

“It’s been nice. The one thing here is there has been no pressure as the team was not winning anything. So, it’s a good thing when you come into a setup where you can build from the beginning. There have been different challenges, but I have enjoyed it,” said the former Stellenbosch University coach.

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His tenure with Tuks began on the right note, as he led them to the final of the University Sport South Africa (USSA) tournament last year at the Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.

The success of last year has increased his team’s appetite for success and Toboti is plotting another return to the final at this year’s USSA tournament, which will see the University of the Witwatersrand play host to the country’s tertiary institutions next month.

“Maybe making the finals in the first year was not a good thing. We have set the bar high, but that is where we see ourselves. The road to the final this year will be tough,” said Toboti. “We might have to face VUT (Vaal University of Technology). They are likely to stand in our way if we get to the last four. If you go to the other side, it is equally difficult, as Wits and UWC (University of the Western Cape) are there, and these are tough match ups.”

If last month’s results in the Gauteng University Basketball League (GUBL) tournament are anything to go by, Tuks, who only won two out of their five games will have to work extra hard to rectify their mistakes ahead of the USSA tournament.

“Right now, players are writing exams, and we have a couple of injuries. We started slowly, but we will pick up in the coming days,” said the former Central University of Technology (CUT) coach.

The one area of concern during the GUBL tournament for Tuks, was defence, and during his practice last Thursday, Toboti placed a huge emphasis on that aspect.

“Defence is one of our strengths. When we needed to pick up our intensity on defence at the GUBL, it unfortunately did not happen for us. It’s what we have been paying attention to in our training,” said Toboti.

Toboti, who is still fine tuning his team has been impressed by the attitude displayed by his players ahead of the USSA tournament. He feels if his players can hold their own end of the deal, they can achieve the desired outcomes.

“If you look at this year’s team, we have six rookies. Four players who made last year’s national team are not here. Of course we want to win. However, we have to be realistic because this year’s and last year team’s are different,” said Toboti. “What I do like about this group is that they want to win. I am not putting pressure on them. All I want is improvement, so it’s about them putting in effort and getting to that goal.”

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Nicolae bringing creative flair to basketball training

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ROMANIA-born individual skills development coach, Nica Nicolae, has created a niche for himself by moving a few boundaries in South African basketball.

Firstly, he has ventured into an untapped aspect of coaching, which centres on players individually improving their skill sets. Secondly, his coaching style is unorthodox, as his training involves flair and focuses on players coming out of their comfort zones.

So, for players who wish to possess the dribble and handles of Steph Curry or Kyrie Irving or even their finishing style at the rim, then Nicolae’s methods may be for them.

“I realised there was a gap in the market because that are not many skills trainers in South Africa. I believe I can help players improve their skill sets by introducing methods that suit each player,” said Nicolae at the University of Johannesburg’s Gymnasium on Thursday.

**Nica Nicolae getting ready for a training session. Pictures: The Big Tip Off.**

While 27-year-old Nicolae’s methods may be unconventional for the purists of basketball, he stresses that players must grasp the game’s fundamentals.

“It’s okay to have a different opinion and no disrespect to the fundamental way of training, but I believe it can only take one to a certain level. I have also shared that information with players,” said Nicolae, who has been a skills trainer for four-and-a-half years. “They are a basis to advance in the game for players who want to unlock their skill set, but the training has to be efficient. If it is not, then players will struggle in game situations. For example, when I use the blocking guards, it mimics how other defenders will guard you in match situations.

“My training involves players getting their footwork, balance, and core right and improving their hand and eye co-ordination. It’s a fun way of getting the players engaged.”

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Two prominent South African players have trained with Nicolae, who holds a Micah Lancaster Skills Development Certificate. WBNL champion and Tshwane Suns player Lungile Mtsweni and Lehlogonolo Tholo, who plays for Mozambique’s Uniao Juvenil de Napipine have worked with the Romanian coach.

Nicolae feels honoured to have worked with two former national team players. He says it has been a part of his ambition to train some of the best players in the country.

“It’s a dream come true and something I can tick off my bucket list. Since coming to South Africa, I have wanted to work with players that play at a high standard,” said Nicolae, who has been in South Africa since 2010. “To have Lungile and Lehlogonolo trust my work. Them trusting that I can help them get better at something they are already good at… It’s a dream come true.

Mtsweni endorses Nicolae’s coaching and says that her game has vastly improved since coming into contact with the exuberant coach.

“I have learnt about the changing of pace when dribbling the ball and my footwork has also gotten better. The way he beats an opponent really works. When I used to dribble past an opponent my feet were not wide enough. Also, I was not as low as I needed to be. Nica has emphasised those things in his coaching and I feel I have gotten better,” said Mtsweni, who represented South Africa at the 2015 FIBA African Women’s Championships.

“I feel I have more control of the ball and I can drive to the rim in different ways. I have also learnt how to protect the ball better in offence, especially against bigger and stronger guards. They will find it difficult to strip the ball of me.”

Nicolae has made some observations about players in South Africa, and he mentioned how they could better their skills.

“The biggest thing to work on has been player confidence. Another thing was the handling of the ball especially when a player is under pressure, which ranks high in requests from the players on how to improve their style,” said Nicolae. “After that, shooting, angles, footwork are all aspects that players in South Africa have needed to improve on.”

The skills trainer is slowly growing a reputation in South Africa and has an even bigger vision for himself. He wants to work with some of the continent’s brightest talents.

“One of my big goals is to reach the rest of Africa. I have made contact with a couple of players and there seems to be an interest. Maybe one or two players will come to South Africa,” said Nicolae.

Nicolae has an appreciation on what it has taken for him to get this far in his career. He was also thankful for the input of others as it has made him a better coach. “This journey has been humbling. Seeing how things have come together and the feedback from the players has been positive. I am thankful for the love and support I have received and look forward to a bright future.”

There are so many ways of contributing to and building a career in basketball. Nicolae’s journey is an example of avenues that can be explored to further the game in Africa.

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Morais cherishes being on the same court as Kobe

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Angolan guard wants to win it all with Petro

THE path to achieving legendary status on the African basketball scene for Carlos Morais had its share of naysayers, especially when the Angolan point guard decided he was going to make a career out of the sport.

At the beginning, the voices of doubt believed, the mercurial Morais did not have the body type for basketball and concluded he would not make it as a player. Instead of giving into those voices, the now 37-year-old showed in those formative stages, he was made of stern stuff. Morais tuned out the noise from his detractors, worked hard, and has gone on to have a storied career.

Indeed, he has carved out a legacy that makes for envious reading. It also puts to shame his detractors for doubting that he belonged on the hardwood of basketball. Some his achievements include an appearance at the Olympic Games and featuring at two FIBA World Championships. He also has four AfroBasket titles to his name.

“The biggest takeaway from my career is that you can be anything you want in this world,” said the Petro Atletico captain at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus on Saturday. “When I started, I had a small build and had to improve on certain things. Many people told me I would never become a basketball player. They told me to try a different sport.

**Carlos Morais believes Petro will be better prepared for next year’s BAL. Picture BAL**

“I stuck with it. I believed if I put in the work and stayed committed, I would become everything I dreamt of being. And here I am now. So my biggest take away from my career is I am everything I am meant to be.”

The Angolan player’s glittering career highlights include sharing the same court with late icon Kobe Bryant and the current leading man in basketball, LeBron James. But for Morais, going face to face against the Black Mamba in the 2008 Beijing Olympics is one of the lingering moments in the memory bank of his illustrious career.

“It was an unbelievable experience to be on the same basketball court with Kobe, LeBron and other all-time greats. It was amazing. It’s an experience very few have had and something I can share with my kids when they get older. I can tell them I played against the best in the world,” said the former Angola captain. “There are so many great experiences I have had while donning the national team’s vest. But I would say playing against Kobe was by far the biggest of them all. I am a die-hard Kobe fan. Being on the same court as him was unbelievable. From the beginning to the end of the game, I was the happiest kid on the court.”

Petro Atletico — **Seasoned veteran Carlos Morais, no 6, feels good about his game. Picture: The BTO**

In a career that has spanned two decades and has seen him play high school basketball in the USA and professional basketball in Portugal (Benfica) and Italy (Mans Sana), Morais still enjoys playing at the elite level for Petro Atletico.

“I am feeling good about my game. We have many young players in the team. They have fresh energy, and that keeps me going. They push me to be at my best,” said the Petro captain. “It’s a pleasure to lead this team and to play at the highest level. I want to help them win.”

With the season in Angola about to begin, Morais will lead the 15-time Angolan League champions in an exhibition against the Cape Town Tigers. Petro, who faced the Tigers in this year’s Basketball Africa League (BAL), will use the game on Sunday at Mandeville, Johannesburg, to gauge themselves.

“We expect a good game. The Tigers are a good team and have a good roster. We hope to have a good game tomorrow,” said Morais. “They can help us prepare for what is coming our way in Angola. It’s a game they will look to win, but for us, it’s about being prepared, and we want to take full advantage.”

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On the home front, Morais also expects their rivals Primeiro de Agosto and Interclube to challenge Petro, who are two-time FIBA African Club Champions.

“I think all the teams will be stronger this year. They want to be in the same position as us. So everything we are doing is to be better than what we were last season. We expect no less from the other teams,” said Morais, who also reflected on Petro’s BAL participation.

“I think in the first season, we were not ready and did not know what to expect. We did not know the level of the other teams, but we finished third. In the second season, we made a couple of mistakes in the final. Hopefully, we will have corrected those by the time the third season starts. We believe next season will be tougher than the last, so we have to be ready.”

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Florsheim Ngwenya: The right fit for the Tigers’ BAL ambition

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The Tigers look forward to Petro challenge

WHY the name Florsheim? Reflecting on the question, Cape Town Tigers coach Florsheim Ngwenya at first did not have a definite answer as to why his late father named him after the classic American shoe.

“You are going to have to ask my father that question. I don’t know,” said Ngwenya, who gave a light-hearted chuckle during his post-practice interview with The Big Tip Off at Mandeville last Friday. “You won’t get an answer now as he is no more.”

When pressed for an answer, Ngwenya, who goes by Florsh, then gave the question some thought. He recalled his father’s sense of fashion.

“He was a fashion icon. The man loved clothes and shoes. Especially the Florsheims. He had about six or seven pairs of those shoes. So I kind of understand why he gave me the name,” said Ngwenya, who took on the Tigers coaching job in early August. He also led them to a second national club title later that month.

Image two — **Florsheim Ngwenya, in white, believes the Tigers are a more united team. Pictures: The BTO**

On game days, Ngwenya himself is a sharp dresser, as witnessed at the national championships, where he wore fine cut shirts and pants during the three day tournament. But as he prepares his team for the Elite 16 tournament (22-27 November), Ngwenya is probably making little fuss about his sense of style as he has the pressing issue of guiding the Cape side to a second Basketball Africa League (BAL) appearance.

So far, Ngwenya likes the way his team is taking shape ahead of the Elite 16 tournament that will take place in Johannesburg. He also appreciates the opportunity to again be on the side-lines and giving out instructions to players. The fact that it is at the international level put Ngwenya on a nostalgic train.

“It’s been interesting. It takes me back to when I used to coach the national team. Guys from different parts of the country and from overseas came together for one mission,” said the former South African national team coach. “The only difference now is that it’s at club level. We have made a few changes to the team. We have added two new guys. Dhieu Deing and Raphiael Putney have come on board. They have brought their game and personalities into the mix, and it’s been going well. The camaraderie in the team is pretty good. There is a bit more of a brotherhood compared to what I observed as an outsider last year. Everyone has been putting in the work.”

On a positive note the Tigers have played four exhibition games and won all of them. They defeated the University of Johannesburg, MBB, Mozambican club Maxaquene and the NBA Academy. On Saturday, they will again take on the NBA Academy and then welcome (18-28 October) two-time FIBA African Club Championship winners and Angolan giants Petro Atletico.

“There is always an improvement in each practice and game that we play. Of course there is always room to get better. For me, I see an improvement in the brotherhood. The guys understand what it takes to win at this level. They have experienced this level of basketball and know how difficult it is to win international games,” said the veteran coach. “So there is a lot more hard work that needs to be put in. We have to worked hard in our practices and in games because there are short and long term goals that we have set for ourselves. So far we have checked a couple of boxes.”

**Florsheim Ngwenya is happy to be coaching at the international level again.**

The Tigers are aware of the challenge posed by Petro. After all the Cape side lost to the Angolans in their debut season of the BAL. Ngwenya also welcomes the duel against the Southern African club, as it will provide a yardstick with which to measure themselves.

“They are a tough team. They were semi-finalists in the first edition of the BAL, and this year, they made it to the final. We are going to face a strong team. Petro have a great history, and on the court, they are a relentless team,” said Ngwenya, who noted the roster upgrade made by the Tricolors at the guard position. “They have signed Solo Diabate, who won titles with Zamalek and US Monastir. That is going to be a tough test and one we look forward to.”

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The Tigers are yet to bounce a ball in the Elite 16 tournament, but Ngwenya has high hope of winning the BAL tournament with this Tigers group.

“We want to win this whole thing. To do that, we have to go through the best, and they (Petro) will give us a nice challenge,” said Ngwenya, who has won multiple Basketball National League (BNL) titles with the Magic.

In the upcoming Elite 16 the Tigers, Mozambique’s Ferroviario da Beira and South Sudan’s Cobra await five other teams. Ngwenya acknowledged it will not be an easy ride for the Tigers, but hopes playing in South Africa will benefit the Cape side.

“Clubs from different countries will be coming to South Africa. What is nice is that we are playing in Johannesburg. So we will have home court advantage, and hopefully fans will come in numbers to support us,” said Ngwenya.

Ngwenya fits the bill in terms of international experience, and championship pedigree. He also shares the Tigers’ dream of continental dominance. Come November the camaraderie he says has been built will be tested by clubs with similar ambition.

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Joel Almeida helping FAP plot their way to Kigali

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JOEL Almeida may have advanced in age, yet the desire to still want to compete and win beats in his heart. The Cape Verde-born payer, who has been a pro for 12 years, attributes his longevity in the game to simply taking care of himself.

“It’s been a blessing to play basketball for this long at the national team and club level. I have been fortunate to play the game for as long as I have,” said the 36-year-old guard and forward. “The work I put in the offseason and during the season to take care of my body is important. I am always in the gym getting my body prepared and watching what I put in it. Finally, I remain focused. I believe if you put in the work you will be rewarded.”

Almeida added: “Taking care of your body is key because it’s the biggest tool one needs to perform on the basketball court. Keeping your body in a pristine condition will allow you to play for many years. There is also the aspect of maturity and experience. Those two elements can make a player lethal.”

The veteran guard is eager for success on two fronts. Firstly, Almeida, who signed with Cameroon club Forces Armees et Police (FAP) for the second edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), wants to achieve success on the continent.

**Joel Almeida is still hungry for success at 36-years-old. Pictures: Supplied**

Lastly, the national team of Cape Verde has the opportunity to qualify for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Japan and the Philippines. Almeida, who is part of the island nation’s campaign to try to punch in their ticket for the global event, believes it is an achievable dream.

On the World Cup qualifiers, Almeida says the island nation has the playing personnel and the capability to make it to Asia next year.

“It’s been an amazing journey. I feel this group of Cape Verde players have a lot to give. Those are my brothers in arms. We finally have a team that has the country’s best players, and we want to move forward,” said Almeida.
Cape Verde, semi-finalists in last year’s AfroBasket in Rwanda, are in fourth spot in their World Cup qualifying Group A, and they are a single point behind group leaders Nigeria.
While Almeida has high ambition for the Cape Verdean team, he knows that there is another round of matches to be played for them to win in their group. That’s not all; there is the hurdle of the second round of continental qualifiers that they would have to navigate past.

“We have something to build on when we resume the qualifiers in July. It would be huge for us if we qualified for the next stage of the qualifiers. That is where our focus is, and I strongly believe Cape Verde is going to be there. We are going to fight to get there,” said the former Brockport State player.

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For now, Almeida does not have to worry pertaining his national team. His focus is on helping the FAP club with their BAL campaign in Cairo.

In their second appearance in the BAL, FAP hope to do better than their quarter-final appearance last year in Rwanda. Can Almeida, who joined the club in the preliminary qualifiers last year, be one of the cogs that takes the team further?

“Being the veteran in the team, I want to help put them in the best position. I am familiar with continental basketball and the players. So I have to pass on the experience and knowledge I gained throughout my career for the team to succeed,” said Almeida, who has won cup competitions at the club level in Portugal and Georgia. “Our main goal is to be in Kigali. We have to keep our eye on that prize. This journey is a step-by-step process. So we have to focus on the next game and get the win. I believe when we step on the court, we can compete against anyone because we have a great team.”
The Nile Conference club had a fine start to the competition with a win (77-60) over the Democratic Republic of Congo club, Espoir Fukash.

In that game on Sunday night, Almeida led his team to victory scoring 23 points and also recorded four steals against the Congolese club. The well-travelled player, who is playing for his 15th club, welcomes his team’s good start. But a player of his status and experience knows the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s always great to start the tournament on a good note. It was a great win for us collectively. We are motivated, but we have to keep ourselves on an even keel. We now have to focus on the next opponent,” said Almeida, who reflected on his performance against Fukash. “It’s all a team effort. I scored those points because my teammates found me. So it was a collective effort. Every game will have a different story, and another player will step up for the team. That is why we are here. We are a team and a family.”

FAP had two days of rest ahead of their Wednesday night clash against South African club Cape Town Tigers, who are 0-2 in the competition. Almeida says he was impressed with what he saw from the Tigers in their opening game against Angola’s Petro Atletico.

“Uh, Cape Tigers. Great team. I have nothing but great things to say about them. They are up and coming and played against good teams to get here. They gave a good account of themselves against Petro. It’s just that some things did not go their way in that match, but you can see they have the talent. They have some great individual players,” said Almeida. “So we have to stay focused and do our best against them to come away with a victory.”

When Almeida and his teammates step onto the court against the wounded Tigers, there will be little room for niceties. A win over the South African club will go a long way in ensuring they get a last eight spot for the Kigali leg of the BAL.

* Time 11pm (GMT +2), Wednesday, 13 April
* Fixture: Cape Town Tigers (South Africa) v FAP (Cameroon)

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Kabongo brings world class experience to the Tigers

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ALMOST a decade ago, a young Myck Kabongo received a piece of advice that would serve him well to this day. The wise counsel would come from San Antonio Spurs legend, the Big Fundamental Tim Duncan.

While Kabongo welcomed the advice from one of the greatest power forwards to have played the game, the setting where Duncan delivered his words of wisdom was unusual.

Before going into the details of what the message of now-retired Duncan to him was, Kabongo reflected on his experience of a lifetime with the dynastic Spurs.

As an undrafted rookie from the University of Texas, Kabongo, born in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, had a short stint with the Texas-based franchise during the 2013 NBA season.

**Myck Kabongo has been a calming figure in the Tigers offence. Pictures: The BTO**

Kabongo made the most of his opportunity to learn from the inspirational and often a master of one-liners during interviews, Gregg Popovich (Spurs coach). The Spurs set-up still had Duncan and fellow All-Stars and accomplished players Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

“I was lucky to go to the San Antonio Spurs in my rookie year. I learnt how to be a professional because I was surrounded by hall of fame players. Not a lot of people can say that they learnt from Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. That was the biggest thing for me as a rookie,” said the Cape Town Tigers player via Zoom on Saturday. “There is a saying that you can see what it looks like to be a professional, but there is a professional’s profession. I got to see that at the Spurs. I learnt from the best.”

Kabongo says being under the tutelage of Olympic gold medal-winning coach Popovich improved his game significantly.

“I have always had a good basketball IQ, but coach Pop took it to another level. The way he made me read and understand the game is second to none,” said Kabongo, who complimented Popovich’s character. “He is a great human being. He is a selfless individual and that reflects in how the Spurs play basketball. If you watch them play, you will notice how unselfish they are on the court. That also filters down to other players. He has a different and great presence and energy about him.”

Also being in the presence of French point guard Parker and Argentine combo guard Ginobili enhanced Kabongo’s ability as a guard. Despite the language barrier with Ginobili, whom Kabongo rates highly, he learnt by observing the Argentine.

“Manu Ginobili is the best player I have played against one-on-one. He is impossible to guard, and I had to adjust against him because he is such a herky-jerky player. He was not talkative, because he was not that fluent in English. So, I had to learn by watching how he played the game and how was able to adjust the pace,” said the DRC national team player, who bonded better with Parker as they spoke the same language.

“TP and I had a relationship because we spoke French. We bonded because of that. He was a superstar, and here he was, taking the time to talk to me.”

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A post shared by Myck Lukusa Kabongo (@kabongofire)

The Spurs player whose words would be impactful to Kabongo were those of legendary power forward Duncan. They were simple words, and they could have come from any Joe from the street, but this was Tim Duncan, a decorated and respected player in the NBA, and the advice he gave carried a lot of weight for Kabongo.

“Timmy was the best. He’d pull me to the side and give me advice every time. The best advice he gave me was, as long I worked hard and treated people the right way, I would have a long career,” said the former NBA G-League player. “Can you imagine? There I was, Tim Duncan next to me in the shower and he says, ‘as long as you work hard and treat people the right way, you will have a long career, kid’. Those words stuck with me, I’ll never forget those words. I cherish moments like those.”

Kabongo, who is in his ninth year as a pro and considered a veteran, is part of the Cape Town Tigers team trying to put South African basketball on the map.

The upstart Tigers are in Cairo for the second season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and open their campaign against Nile Conference opponents and Angolan giants Petro Atletico on Sunday night.

Kabongo, who played in the inaugural BAL season last year for Ferroviario de Maputo, says they will not have an easy ride as all their opponents in the Cairo leg of the league will present a similar challenge.

“Ah, man! Every game here will be tough. You have to understand that all these teams in this competition have won in their countries or are zonal champions. So, there are no easy games in a league like this,” said Kabongo. “We have to understand that we have to stick to our game plan. Petro are a strong team. They have guys who have been playing together for seven-eight years at the club or the (Angolan) national team. We have been playing with each other for a couple of months. So to be successful, we have to stick to our plan and what the coaches say.”

Upon his arrival to the Tigers during the second game of Elite 16 of the BAL qualifiers in Johannesburg last year, Kabongo made an immediate impact as a floor general.

Kabongo’s ability to up and slow the tempo is a plus for the Tigers camp during their BAL sojourn.

“I’m in my ninth year as a professional. I have experience and have played in some tough places. So, it’s difficult for me to get rattled. I have worked my a** for moments like this, so I don’t feel scared going into a game. I go in confident and settled because I put in the work when no one was watching,” said the well-travelled Kabongo. “As a point guard, I have to make the game easier for my teammates. I also have to make sure they are having fun. When the team has fun, you usually finish on the winning side. That is what I want to do. I want to win!”

Kabongo is not short on confidence, and hopefully, that has rubbed off on his Tigers teammates who cannot afford to freeze on the continental stage.

* Time: Sunday, 10 April at 11pm (GMT+2)

* Fixture: Cape Tigers (South Africa) vs Petro Atletico (Angola)

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Majok talks BAL ambition and life after the game

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WHEN it comes to life after basketball, Ater Majok is already clear on which path he will follow when the curtain falls and he takes a final bow from the game.

The US Monastir centre says he wants to engage more in philanthropic endeavours on the African continent. He has already targeted the kind of projects he wants to be involved in.

“I have a passion for helping out at orphanages and building homes on the continent. It’s where my heart lies and where my focus is,” said Sudan-born Majok, who spoke to The Big Tip Off via Zoom.

Although his name is synonymous with basketball, Majok stated he will have very little to do with the game once his playing days are over.

“You will not see me in the basketball sector very often. Maybe now and then, I’ll do something related to basketball, but once I put that ball down and hang up my shoes, it will be rare that I’m seen on the court,” said 34-year-old Majok, emphasising his goal-orientated nature. “I am a person who sets goals for himself. Once that is done, I close that chapter and move on to the next one. I am nearing the end of my career. So, I feel like I am satisfied and I have given everything. I am happy with where I am. There is no point in looking back to ask yourself what could have been.”

**Ater Majok has prepared himself for life after the game. Pictures: Basketball Africa League**

Majok, who once lived in Australia as a refugee, stressed that his desire to give back was born after a harrowing experience during a visit to South Sudan. He also implored other Africans who are in the same position to give their time and money to uplift the continent.

“We as Africans need to start giving back to Africa. We need to start building things by Africans for Africans. That’s where the next chapter of my life will start,” said Majok, who reflected on his visit to South Sudan. “It was in 2016 when I went back home to South Sudan. I saw a couple of orphaned kids, and witnessed one who had passed away on the street. What shocked me is that people were walking past his body with no one wanting to help. It hurt me and I felt it was unacceptable. From that point on, I told myself I must make a difference. I have a name, a voice and resources. I also know the relevant people to speak to. We have to help the next generation of Ater Majoks, Loul Dengs, presidents, ministers or teachers to reach their dreams.”

Majok added: “We need to start looking after these kids. If you look at our kids, even in the diaspora, we are losing them. We need to start taking care of them. If we don’t, there will be a lost African generation.”

The next chapter of Majok’s life is still taking shape, and whilst one eye is focused on the future, the other is firmly placed on the present. The big man is still playing the game at a high level, which he showed in his team’s opening game of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara conference. He is also on a redemption seeking mission following last year’s painful final loss to Egyptian club, Zamalek.

Majok, a former UConn Huskies player, has returned for the second season of the BAL in Dakar, Senegal, and again in the colours of last year’s finalists, US Monastir of Tunisia.

The North African club opened their campaign with a hard-fought 77-71 victory over opponents, Ferroviario da Beira of Mozambique. Majok was a dominant figure for Monastir at both ends of the court on Sunday.

At six-foot-ten, Majok was a defensive anchor for Monastir as he produced four blocks against Beira. In offence, he was a handful for the Mozambican club as he powered his way to 19 points and crashed 12 boards to earn the player of the game award.

While it was not the most polished of performances, Majok says the team will get into its stride when the time arrives.

“Beira played really and hard. There were moments in the game where they also outplayed us,” said Majok. “I must emphasise that our goal is not to peak too early. We want to peak at the right time. Sunday’s game was only the beginning for us. It was not good enough, but we got the win. We have to work hard. So when the time comes, we are at our best.”

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A post shared by Ater “AJ” James Majok (@iamatermajok)

Despite receiving the player of the match accolade, Majok gave credit to his teammates and stated that his focus was on winning the opening game.

“I did not think about the stats. I did not even realise that I had a double-double. For me, it was about getting the victory. Even if I scored 19 points and get 12 rebounds. I give credit to my teammates because of their actions on the court, it freed me up and allowed me to score, and the defensive plays that they executed gave me the opportunity to get rebounds. So it’s not only about myself, credit must also go to the team,” said Majok, who has had a decorated playing career.

Monastir may have started on the right footing with the W over Beira, and as Majok admitted, they took some time to settle into their style of play in their opening game.

The reason could be the team based at the Tunisian coast have different personnel this year. Monastir had to replace international stars Makrem Romdhane and Omar Abada, who both played a crucial role in the team making it to the final in the inaugural tournament. Despite this challenge, Majok took a positive view of the situation.

“We are definitely going to miss the guys that are not here, but we have a good unit. These guys are going to play hard. We are a blue-collar calibre group of players. We are going to out-work and out-hustle every team,” said the veteran Majok. “Everything will be about hard work and trying to prove a point. We are a young team with alot to prove.”

Ivory Coast guard Souleyman Diabate, who won the inaugural BAL season with Zamalek, and American-born Michael Dixon, are the new faces added to the Monastir set up and they were impactful against Beira at different stages of the game.

“I was with my national team when the two signed on for Monastir. I think the coach (Miodrag Perisic) and management did a fine job welcoming and making them feel part of the team,” said Majok, who competes internationally for Lebanon. “Most of us were with our national teams, so Sunday’s game was our first time together.”

In the second instalment of the BAL, Majok is as ambitious as he was ahead of last year’s BAL. He rates his team’s prospects and feels the Tunisian Championnat A side is good enough to win the tournament.

“The goal is not only to reach the final. We want to come in first place. The journey will not be the same. We will have ups and downs. This time we will try a different way of doing things,” said the two-time Championnat A winner. Majok also reflected on what he learned from last year’s final loss against Zamalek.

“I felt like I let my team down and I could have done more in that final. I felt like I should have been carried out on a stretcher because I gave everything. There is nothing else I can say. I’ll have to do my talking on the court,” concluded Majok.

Majok has a second shot at fulfilling his and the team’s ambition at the BAL tournament. He now has the best teacher: experience. Coupled with the latter is his undying desire and competitive edge that could ignite Monastir and make them hard to beat.

*Tuesday’s fixture: US Monastir (Tunisia) vs SLAC (Guinea) at 17:30 (GMT)

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Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla

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