Manyehlisa Lehohla - The Big Tip Off

Lele banks on BEAC ending Cameroon’s BAL roadblock

CAMEROON’S Valentin Lele is carving out a successful career for himself in his homeland. Since 2023, he has won a domestic championship. But this year, along with the national trophy, he added the title of MVP to his list of successes.

As he prepares for a third Road to BAL appearance with his third club, the domestic Elite Messieurs champions Bank of Central African States (BEAC) from Cameroon, Lele reflected on his journey of growth. Apart from playing continental club qualifiers, Lele has also donned the colours of the Indomitable Lions at the 2023 AfroCan and the recent AfroBasket in Angola.

Lele says playing at the Road to BAL, AfroCan, and the AfroBasket has allowed him to acquire knowledge from top players.

“As a player, these competitions have allowed me to rub shoulders with great and professional players. I have learned a lot from them, about the mental and physical aspects of the game,” said the 21-year-old.

Looking back at the AfroBasket, where Cameroon finished in fourth place, Lele was thankful to coach Alfred Aboya for giving him a shot, but was disappointed at how the tournament ended for the Indomitable Lions.

Valentin Lele Cameroon — **Valentin Lele, second from left, and the Indomitable Lions finished fourth at the 2025 AfroBasket. Pictures: FIBA Africa and Supplied**

Before the third and fourth place, the Lions had lost their semi-final encounter to eventual champions Angola in the final seconds.

“It was a very difficult moment because we believed in ourselves, we gave it our all, but it wasn’t enough. We hope to do better next time. I want to also thank the coach for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Through this experience, I was able to assess my level of play and identify areas for improvement”, said Lele.

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Chasing a third Road to BAL

Lele turned his attention to the Road to BAL, where his team, BEAC, the seven-time champions, will compete for the first time and try to qualify for the BAL. The last Cameroon team to qualify for the BAL was FAP, who made it to the semi-final stage in 2022.

Looking at the recent history of Cameroon’s clubs at the tournament, teams like FAP and Kadji Sports Academy have fallen short at the Road to BAL stage.

It’s a storyline Lele is familiar with. He was part of the FAP (2023), and Kadji Sports (2024) when they hit a roadblock in those tournaments. Explaining those disappointing runs, Lele cited a lack of preparation.

“I would simply say that we weren’t sufficiently prepared, and we faced teams that were stronger than us,” said Lele.

So, can BEAC be the Cameroon club that bucks the trend of the country’s clubs struggling on the Road to BAL? Lele is confident they can.

“The elements that can allow BEAC to succeed in the Road to BAL, in my humble opinion, are discipline and hard work,” said Lele. “We have exceptional staff, a good team spirit and a hunger for victory.”

Valentin Lele BEAC — **Valentin Lele was crowned MVP during the championship season with BEAC.**

Lele also spoke on the impact of coach Kevin Ngwese, who led Cameroon to second place in the U18 AfroBasket last year and has won a national title with FAP.

“Our coach is a hardworking and rigorous man who knows how to put players at ease and, above all, create a good team atmosphere. I think these qualities are what will lead us to success,” said Lele, of Ngwese, the former national team player now turned coach.

From Lele’s words, everything is in place for him and BEAC to be successful at the upcoming Road to BAL, but can they cash in on their talent and qualify for the BAL?

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Odero ready for Road to BAL take off with the Thunder

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HE is nicknamed Kenya Airways. A moniker he earned for his spectacular high-flying dunks, which have wowed fans at various gyms in the East African nation. His actual name is Albert Odero, and he is part of a group of star players who make up Kenya’s super team, Nairobi City Thunder.

The 28-year-old Odero was nicknamed by his teammate Faheem Juma, who compared his high-flying style on the court to the nation’s air carrier.

While being a skywalker has made Odero popular, he feels there is more to his game. “One of my teammates, Faheem, gave me the name four or five years ago, and it just stuck. I feel like I do more than jump high and dunk on people. It’s a blessing to have the athleticism, and if it entertains people, then I don’t mind putting on a show for the crowd,” said Odero.

Albert Odero and Ken Wachira 2025 — **Ken Wachira and Albert Odero celebrate qualifying for the BAL last year. Pictures: FIBA Africa**

The Thunder fans are certainly loving it! They have seen Odero and the Thunder rocket to the stratosphere after being crowned champions in Kenya’s Basketball League for the second time running. The Thunder outdid themselves once more, ending their spectacular charge to the title with another unbeaten run.

Odero, speaking to The Big Tip Off on Monday, a day after they beat Kenya Ports Authority 3-0 in the finals series, attributed the success to a positive team dynamic.

“It’s consistency. We have guys who work hard, well together and who want what’s best for the team, said Odero. “So in those two years, we have become familiar. It’s a whole lot of things put in a pot, and it’s working,” said Odero.

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Having one unbeaten season is no easy feat, but to do it a second time, while astounding for the Thunder, it would raise questions about the quality of the teams they faced in the domestic league.

Odero, on the other hand, took a different view. “I would not say it was easy. You still have to come in and prove yourself. These teams are not going to let you come in and walk all over them,” said Odero. “It was not easy. We put in the hard work. We know how much investment the owners put into the team, so that is what they expect.”

Winning the league again means another Road to BAL, where they could potentially qualify for the BAL, as was the case last year.

In the Road to BAL stage, the Thunder posted an impressive 8-1 record. In the Elite 16 final phase on home soil, they delivered inspiring performances that made them the first Kenyan team to qualify for the BAL.

Odero says knowing the terrain of the continental qualifiers is an advantage for the Thunder. “We have one year under our belt… So we will be more comfortable. The other teams, too, have been there before, so they will invest. It’s just coming there with a chip on our shoulder. We know it’s not going to be easy, we know what it takes,” said Odero.

Albert Odero Nairobi City Thunder 2025 — **Albert Odero understands this year’s Road to BAL will be more challenging.**

The experience at this year’s BAL was a step in the growth of the Thunder and their players. However, their record, 1-5 in the BAL’s Nile Conference, shows the Thunder are a work in progress.

“It was a good learning experience for the management and the players. This year, if we get the opportunity again we should not repeat the mistakes of last year,” said Odero.

His words carry wisdom from lessons learnt, and confidence in what the future holds. As the Thunder return to the continental realm, there will be turbulence and, at times, smooth sailing. So if the Thunder are to remain in flight on the Road to BAL, it will require Odero and his teammates to maintain level-heads.

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Investing in youth yields tangible benefits for African nations

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ANGOLAN stars Bruno Fernando and 2025 AfroBasket MVP Childe Dundao. Malian standouts Sika Kone and Sira Thienou. Apart from making their names in basketball, the quartet have one thing in common. They all play for the national teams of their respective countries. As you unfurl the thread, a little bit is revealed about their journeys in the setups of their countries’ various national teams.

As Fernando, Dundao, Kone, and Thienou rise — or enter — the peak of their careers, it’s worth remembering that they first made their mark with their countries’ youth national teams.

Real Madrid forward Bruno Fernando, who also spent time in the NBA, and Petro de Luanda floor general Childe Dundao were both part of Angola’s U18 AfroBasket championship team. Since that 2016 triumph, the duo has climbed the ladder to senior stardom, helping Angola capture a record 12th AfroBasket crown this past August.

Sira Thienou youth — **Sira Thienou has represented Mali from the U16 level. Pictures: FIBA**

They aren’t alone. Teammates Silvio Sousa, Selton Miguel, and veteran Gerson Goncalves also once wore Angola’s colours at the youth level before becoming African champions alongside Fernando and Dundao. Angola’s commitment to grassroots development continues to pay dividends.

Yet, when it comes to leading the way in youth development, Mali stands out as a model for the continent.

In 2025, both Mali’s men’s and women’s national teams reached their AfroBasket finals — a remarkable achievement. What stood out most was the number of players who had come through the youth pipeline.

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The men’s team, which fell to Angola in the final, featured eight players developed in the youth system. Among them were Oumar Ballo, Siriman Kanoute, and twins Hassan and Fousseyni Drame, all of whom were part of Mali’s U19 squad that made history by reaching the FIBA U19 World Cup final in 2019 – the first African team ever to do so.

“We’ve been doing really well with the youth, and lately, it’s been the men’s team’s turn,” Ballo told FIBA Africa during the 2025 AfroBasket. “The federation does a good job of following up with young players once they turn pro. That ensures consistency and guarantees they’ll come back to the national team.”

On the women’s side, Mali finished as runners-up to Nigeria in July’s AfroBasket final with a squad that included 11 players developed through the country’s youth program. In women’s basketball, Mali’s system has delivered 17 continental titles (nine at U18 and eight at U16), and Kone and Thienou have contributed to those successes.

The secret to their success? A clear, intentional approach.

“This is due to the policy of the mini basketball development program and the establishment of training centres,” explained Malian youth coach Moussa Sidibe in an interview with FIBA Africa. Building on Sidibe’s statement, I must say that having travelled to countries like Angola and Madagascar to cover international competitions at senior and youth levels, one thing that stands out is the culture of basketball. And also at every turn, you will see a basketball court, which stimulates interest in the game.

Recently, in Angola, before the start of the AfroBasket, I attended an annual community tournament that included a youth category and was sponsored by a private telecoms company. Earlier on the same day, there was a Jr NBA competition. That the telecoms company and the NBA were willing to attach their names to events in Angola speaks volumes about the commitment of people to growing the game.

Oumar Ballo AfroBasket 2025 Youth — **Oumar Ballo was part of the Malian team that made the 2019 U19 World Cup final.**

Other nations are now following the route of development. Cameroon, for instance, has recently made strides in creating opportunities for you players and the results have been amazing. Their U18 team reached the AfroBasket final last year – remarkably, in their first-ever appearance at the tournament – earning a spot at the U19 World Cup. This year, Cameroon’s U16 boys also made the final in Rwanda, another debut run that secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey.

“For the longest time, Cameroon had no junior U18 teams,” said senior national team coach Alfred Aboya in an interview with The Big Tip Off. “We had athletes leaving the country to build careers overseas. But youth development is important because kids grow friendships early. When they reach the senior team, they already know each other – it helps with cohesion.

“It’s fantastic. The federation is doing a great job by sending youth to these competitions.”

Aboya is spot on. Exposure to opportunity is important for young players, as it has the power to change their lives. More important still is building development platforms that serve as pathways for discovering talent.

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Nemutambwe expects Hounds to bite in the Road to BAL

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ZIMBABWE’S Basket Hounds have had a fearsome bite in the country’s basketball scene. The man who has kept the Hounds’ teeth continuously razor-sharp and being a cut above the rest is club coach Tawanda Nemutambwe. In October, months after the Hounds won their second national domestic title, they will make another appearance at the Road to BAL.

Looking back at the Hounds’ debut tournament last year, held in the Zimbabwe capital, Harare, Nemutambwe says they were trying to find their feet.

“It was hard because we did not know what we were getting into. Everything, from preparation to scouting, we learnt on the go. Recovery was also hard for us because we did not get a rest day,” said Nemutambwe, whose team finished with a 2-3 record last year. “I think it was the hardest Road to BAL in our region (Zone 6). Going into this year’s tournament, we will do better. Our tactics and scouting will be better.”

Tawanda Nemutambwe 2025 — **Tawanda Nemutambwe will lead Basket Hounds to a second Road to BAL. Pictures: The BTO**

Knowing the demands of African basketball, Nemutambwe, who coached Zimbabwe’s U18 men’s team during the 2024 age-group AfroBasket qualifiers, says players must maintain clean lifestyles. Another aspect he stresses to the players is being physically up to par with their opponents in the Road to BAL.

“We have spoken to them about taking care of their bodies… Not consuming alcohol or taking substances,” said Nemutambwe. “Going to the gym is another thing. It’s something we lack as a country. Our players don’t like to work out.

“With this group of players that has improved. They are putting in the work. It’s something I have been hammering since our first Road to BAL. I feel it has gotten better.”

Sharing his reflections on the domestic season, Nemutambwe says having the same group of players who retained the domestic championship last year was a key ingredient.

“Maintaining the core of our team was important for us. These are the same players who became part of the team when it started,” said Nemutambwe. “We have trained together and formulated a system that we trust and that works for us.”

Nemutambwe’s team recently tested themselves at the Bravehearts International Basketball Challenge in Malawi, where they fell to the host club, Bravehearts, in the semi-finals.

Tawanda Nemutambwe Basket Hounds 2025 — **Tawanda Nemutambwe says conditioning of his players will be key in the Road to BAL.**

He says the tournament was to gauge themselves and where they were since winning the league championship.

“We wanted to see where we were because we had just got back to training. Some of the teams at the tournament (Bravehearts and Matero Magic) are going to compete at the Road to BAL,” said Nemutambwe. “One of the takeaways from that tournament was our conditioning. We must work on that because the games we lost (in the BIBC) had a lot to do with conditioning.

“It’s something we noted. To get the results, we must pay attention to our conditioning.”

Namutambwe has a few weeks to tighten the nuts and bolts within his team. Going far on the Road to BAL requires clubs to be lean, mean and flawless machines. Or in the case of the Hounds, they will need a ferocious bite!

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Almeida, Al Ali to bring the noise at Intercontinental Cup

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CAPE Verdean superstar baller Ivan Almeida gave a light chuckle during a telephone interview when he was asked about adding another FIBA competition to his playing rèsumè. The Intercontinental Cup, which commences on Thursday (18-21 September), will be amongst the tournaments he has played in during his illustrious career.

He downplayed the significance of the milestone, intimating that Al Ahli Tripoli, the team he helped qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) last year, and their mission in Singapore, far outweighs his adding another tournament to his playing rèsumè.

“We keep building. For me, it’s another competition. I want to go there and ensure the team is well-represented. It’s not about me having another tournament on my rèsumè. I look at it as an opportunity,” said Almeida. “The team won the BAL, so we are representing Libya and the African continent… Having that opportunity is amazing.

“Whatever we can do to get a good result while we are there, we will do.”

Ivan Almeida Intercontinental Cup 2025 — **Ivan Almeida brings experience to the ranks of Al Ahli. Pictures: FIBA**

Almeida’s time as a basketball player has seen him slip on the Cape Verde jersey on basketball’s great stages – the World Cup and AfroBasket – five times. He has turned out for Portuguese club Benfica in the European Champions League, and lit it up for home club Kriol Star in the Basketball Africa League. The Cape Verdean remarked that he feels right at home with the Libyan giants, and it’s understandable, given the history he’s helped build for the club.

“Joining Al Ahli is good. I know the people here – the management and the players who were there before. I don’t feel like I am coming to something new,” said Almeida, who was speaking from the club’s training camp in Tunisia.

The 37-year-old says he appreciates the club’s new Egyptian coach, Mohamed Elkerdany, making him a part of the club.

“I appreciate the coach for bringing me in for my experience and ability to help the team. The conditions here (in Tunisia) are good. We have been working, and then the next day (Monday), we will leave for Singapore,” said Almeida. “Everything is on the right track, and I hope I can help the team win a lot of games.”

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Almeida is among five recruits for the Libyan club, alongside 2025 BAL MVP Jean Jacques Boissy, Makur Maker (from South Sudan), Ismael Romero (Puerto Rico) and Marcos Knight (United States).

Despite being assembled in a short time, Almeida says the core of the squad and the recruits have acclimated to one another.

“We have been practising since the sixth. We played a friendly (on Saturday), which we won. It has been a process of adjustment and getting to know each other. The club has high-level players with international experience,” said Almeida. “I think we can go to the Intercontinental Cup and represent ourselves well. And make some noise.

“The practices have been going great, and the coach has been able to implement his system. There is focus and discipline in our team. We are doing everything the coaching staff are demanding of us.”

He again emphasised experience when asked about the value he and other recruits bring to the team.

“I think it’s about combining the energy of the young guys and the experience of the older guys. A player like Boissy is young and energetic. He can play both ends of the floor. I think that’s what defines us. Nobody takes breaks, we play defence and offence,” said Almeida. “It is one of the building blocks when a coach builds the team. From there, we have to hold each other accountable and take the best decisions for the betterment of the team.”

Ivan Almeida FIBA World Cup 2025 — **Ivan Almeida says he is considering his international future with Cape Verde after appearing in a fifth AfroBasket for the island nation in August.**

The future

With the year far from over and still a lot of basketball to play in Africa, with the Road to BAL and World Cup Qualifiers. Are these tournaments part of Almeida’s plans?

The Road to BAL: I am not certain about the Road to BAL. I have signed with Al Ahli for a month, so after October 6, we will see about the Road to BAL,” said Almeida.

FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: “It’s a big question mark regarding the national team. I think it was my last one. I am not sure… It is a big question mark,” said Almeida.

His international future with his country may be in doubt, but on the club front, Almeida can be expected to play lights out for Al Ahli in Singapore.

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It’s not a national competition, it’s a national farce

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IN an ideal world, the upcoming South African National Basketball Club Championship would be an event worth celebrating — one to look forward to and write home about. Instead, much like previous editions, the organisation of the men’s and women’s tournaments scheduled for this weekend (19–22 September) in Cape Town has been farcical.

Given that these championships serve as the gateway to continental competitions — the Road to BAL and the FIBA Zone 6 WBLA Qualifiers — one would expect meticulous preparation. Careful planning should be the bare minimum. But not for this Basketball South Africa (BSA) executive. For them, doing the least seems to suffice. Serving the game appears less a responsibility and more a side hustle.

Given the stakes, why is the federation stumbling and tripping? It is hard to believe the federation was unaware that continental qualifiers are held around October and November each year. Would it be asking too much for BSA to structure their calendar accordingly and communicate with members in advance? Apparently, yes.

Cape Town Tigers National Club Champs 2022 — **South African basketball had a short-lived experience with the Cape Town Tigers. Picture: The BTO and Supplied**

True to form, BSA has not failed to plan, but planned to fail. As a result, clubs and teams have been forced into a frantic race to raise funds for participation fees, travel, and accommodation at the last minute.

Worse still, the federation has bent its own rule book, cutting corners with guidelines that allow non-compliant teams into the championship.

Take the Montana Vikings (men and women) from Cape Town, Rhodes Titans (men), and Hustlers Academy (women) from the Eastern Cape. These four sides at least qualified for the national championships as winners of their respective provincial tournaments. Meeting the guidelines set by BSA.

Meanwhile, teams that do not compete in district leagues or do not have junior or women’s programs found their way into the tournament. A glaring example is the newly formed Johannesburg Giants. They do not compete in the Johannesburg Basketball League, but they will be in Cape Town this Friday.

How is that possible? BSA, what is going on?

This is just one illustration of how low the custodians of South African basketball have stooped, ticking boxes for the sake of appearances rather than building a credible national competition.

Also concerning is the inclusion of the KwaZulu-Natal Marlins, a Basketball National League (BNL) franchise that only competes for three months a year in the BNL. By turning to the courts, the Marlins forced their way into the championship. And while they won the case, the fact remains: they don’t compete in any district league in the KZN Province.

What makes this even more contradictory is that BSA — through president Sanele Mthiyane and secretary general Sibongile Fondini — publicly announced last year that their license agreement with the BNL had ended.

All of this erodes the foundation of the sport. It undermines the importance of developing strong district and provincial competitions. And it strips the club championship of any real prestige.

The winners of this hastily assembled men’s and women’s tournament will eventually compete beyond South Africa’s borders. It will also be interesting to see how they will acclimate to high-level continental basketball.

KwaZulu Natal Marlins 2025 — **KwaZulu-Natal Marlins won their court battle to compete in the National Club Championship.**

If we were to use the Cape Town Tigers as a measure of ourselves, we would only serve to fool ourselves. That Tigers’ run to the 2024 BAL semi-finals was a shining moment. But their quick disappearance from the scene afterwards is a reminder that chasing short-term glory bears little to no fruit. And a bite from that fruit can often lead to a bitter taste.

Legendary gridiron coach Vince Lombardi once said, “The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Those involved in South African basketball would do well to take his words seriously.

Instead of rushing to tick boxes, it is time to put in the hard work and build lasting structures. It is what successful nations and clubs do. South Africa should be no different.

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Hectic playing schedule will make Banda a busy baller

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HARRISON Banda is going to experience a hectic club schedule in the coming weeks. With his club, Munali Suns, Banda is already two games into the domestic Midlands Basketball Association League campaign. Coming up is a highly anticipated derby match against Lusaka rivals and 12-time Zambia Basketball League (ZBL) champions Matero Magic on Friday at 8 pm.

The experienced Banda, winner of the fifth edition of the Bravehearts International (BIBC) challenge earlier in the month with the Suns, will be with the 2022-2023 ZBL champions temporarily. The reason for the short stay with the Suns is that Banda has to rejoin Brave Hearts for the preliminary phase of the Road to BAL, which starts around October.

So, the Suns, 2-0 in the provincial league, have to make full use of 28-year-old Banda’s talents before he heads back to neighbouring Malawi for Bravehearts’ continental sojourn.

Harrison Banda Munali Suns — **Harrison Banda is looking forward to the derby match against Matero Magic. Picture: The BTO**

While playing in continental competition is always a thrilling prospect, Banda also wants to give Munali his best. He is locked in for the expected humdinger league battle on Friday. He says winning the BIBC has improved confidence within the Suns team.

“It’s great for our morale. It motivates us to push harder this season. We have not won anything in a while, so it sets a good precedent for us for the rest of the season,” said Banda, the BIBC MVP.

Ahead of the battle royale against the Magic, the veteran big man feels the Suns will be a more competitive outfit this time around. He also highlighted the importance of paying attention to every detail.

“We are very excited. I am looking forward to the game. We have a good team compared to last season,” said Banda. “Looking back at when we played them last season, we focused a lot on their imports and ignored their local guys. This time around, our approach will be different.”

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Banda rolling with the Bravehearts once again

The Suns have only won one championship, but Banda spoke with determination about the 21-year-old club’s hunger to recapture the title they won two years ago. He believes being one unit will be key to unlocking success for Munali.

“I think we should stick together as a group and focus on one goal. There are a couple of players who left at the end of last season. So the new players that have come in know what the mission is, and I am confident they can help us achieve,” said Banda.

Banda also looks forward to his fourth Road to BAL, especially after playing a crucial role in leading Brave Hearts to Elite 16 qualification last year. While their run ended at the latter stage, Banda, who averaged 10 points and 13.3 rebounds last year, says the playing personnel brought in can improve the team’s chances.

“I think this time around, we need to look into recruitment and bring in the right players. Another thing is the strengthening of the technical team. We struggled a bit because we had one coach, so with an assistant, we can cover the blind spots,” said Banda.

**Harrison Banda feels Bravehearts needs to improve certain departments for this year’s Road to BAL.**

Banda is hungry on all fronts. His experience is second to none, and while many would see him as stretched, given his commitments, the veteran player believes he is well aware of this rodeo. As long as his legs can carry him, Munali and Bravehearts will get the best of him.

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Mabika and Bravehearts itching for continental competition

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BRAVEHEARTS Women’s Club have made the BASMAL domestic championship their own for over five years, and their success has heightened the team’s ambition. The desire to compete now stretches beyond the home comforts of Malawi and into the continental realm. With the FIBA Zone 6 (Southern Africa) Women’s Basketball League Africa Qualifiers likely to take place this year, that dream could soon become a reality for the Bravehearts.

One of the club’s most experienced players, Tadiwa Mabika from Zimbabwe, shares the club’s ambition of stepping into the bigger arena of club basketball.

It also helps that the 24-year-old Mabika knows a thing or two about top-level basketball. In her mid-teens, she represented Zimbabwe at the 2017 U16 Women’s AfroBasket. Six years later (2023), she would suit up for her country’s senior national team in the Zone 6 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers.

Mabika Zimbabwe 2017 U16 AfroBasket — **Tadiwa Mabika in the colours of Zimbabwe at the 2017 U16 AfroBasket. Pictures: The BTO and FIBA**

Mabika, who spoke a day (Sunday 31 July) after her club won back the recently concluded Bravehearts International Basketball Challenge (BIBC), intimated her desire to return to playing in the upper reaches of African basketball.

“As an individual, it’s something I aspire to. I consider it the highest level of basketball. That is something I want to compete in for experience and exposure,” said the BIBC MVP. “I think it will be a learning experience. Hopefully, if we get another opportunity, we can do better. Then we will know what we are getting ourselves into. So as a team, I believe we all share that ambition. Even if it takes time to get there.”

From her own experience with Zimbabwe’s senior national team and playing club basketball in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mabika says her Bravehearts teammates should prepare themselves for an aggressive approach from their potential opposition.

“It is going to be hard. It is going to be tough. Having played with the national team and my experience in the DRC, there is a certain level of physicality that teams play with, so we must be prepared for that,” said 24-year-old Mabika. “The one disadvantage we have is the lack of height, so we must utilise what we have to our advantage. So, if you are short, you must be quick and be able to outrun the bigger players.”

Apart from capturing the national championship and winning the BIBC, the Bravehearts women’s team has triumphed in recent tournaments held in South Africa this year. Mabika says those wins at the Ashraaf Loedewyk and Wits Lady Bucks tournaments down South were a confidence booster. But she correctly pointed out that they will need better competition to compete against much stronger teams.

“Winning in South Africa is a confidence booster. But we should not be overconfident because we won tournaments over there. Qualifying for the WBLA requires playing against much better competition. The BIBC is a much stronger competition because it brought teams from outside Malawi, which was good for us,” said Mabika.

**Bravehearts player Tadiwa Mabika looks forward to competing in the Zone 6 Qualifiers.**

The power forward feels the Zone 6 qualifiers will bring together a mix of players that will allow her to expand on her playing repertoire.

“I have never played in the club qualifiers. I have only played with the national team, and it was good exposure. But I think playing in the club qualifiers will be different because clubs can sign players from overseas. It will be a completely different level and an important learning curve for my career. I look forward to that,” said Mabika.

Mabika’s ambition is undeniable, and with Bravehearts determined to compete on the continent, the experience of the Zimbabwean power forward will count.

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Bravehearts duo benefit from club’s scholarship program

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SPORTS in Africa are seldom seen as a pathway to opening doors to education. However, one of the clubs working to change the narrative is Malawi’s Bravehearts Basketball Club, which operates through their scholarship program. Two hoopers who have experienced the impact of the program are Mtendere Manyozo and Hope Chimwaza.

Identified for their basketball talent and academic excellence, interestingly, the basketball bug bit late in their lives. Before switching to basketball, Manyozo was a netball player, while Chimwaza played football.

Chimwaza is a first-year university student who harbours dreams of graduating to the Brave Hearts senior team, picked basketball as a 15-year-old, and when the world was going through the most.

“I was a football player because of my dad. Before I discovered I could play basketball, I loved football. I started playing basketball at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chimwaza. “I have grown to love it, and it has made me more focused.

Mtendere Manyozo 2025 BIBC — **Mtendere Manyozo believes Bravehearts is ready to venture into continental basketball. Pictures: Supplied**

Originally from Blantyre, Chimwaza joined Brave Hearts in 2022, while still a high school pupil. He says changing from football to basketball was not an easy leap.

“It was hard changing sports. I think the levels of physicality were different. That was the biggest change for me,” said Chimwaza.

Manyozo, in her final year of Business Administration, explained that she started the game late in life. “I used to be a netball player. I got into basketball once I started college, I was 19 at the time. That was in 2020. After a year, I joined the Brave Hearts program,” said Manyozo, the Bravehearts women’s team captain. “It was a hard change, now it has become a part of my lifestyle.”

Both players spoke in the same vein that the scholarship program has lifted the financial burden on their families.

“Basketball has been a blessing in my life. Bravehearts has paid for my schooling since form four, and they are still doing it now, which is a good thing for me and especially my parents,” said Chimwaza. “They handle other things, such as paying school fees for my siblings.”

On the court, Manyozo has won multiple domestic championships with Brave Hearts, and while she enjoys putting the team on the map, she has also appreciated the relationships she’s built.

“It’s been great contributing to the team’s success. It’s been an important part of my life and career,” said Manyozo. “It has given me a chance to know people. To form friendships here at home and outside. Another thing is that the club is ambitious, and it has brought players from outside the country to build on its success. It’s been great for me to be part of this process.

Chimwaza, on the other hand, has dreams of being part of the successful men’s senior team and aspires to compete in international competitions.

“I want to move up to the men’s team. I am working hard to make that dream come true. Every time I get an opportunity to be around them, it motivates me,” said Chimwaza. “Our senior team gets a lot of exposure because they travel. I would really help the team get to the Basketball Africa League.

“Last year they made it to the Elite 16. I would like to see them go further this year.”

Hope Chimweza 2025 BIBC — **Hope Chimweza says basketball has given him more focus.**

Manyozo also looks forward to the potential for her and her teammates to play in continental competition. “As a team, we would be happy to get an opportunity to play in bigger competitions. We have won almost everything in Malawi,” said Manyozo.

The duo of Manyozo and Chimwaza are entering different points of their playing careers, but their objectives remain the same. To continue putting Bravehearts on the map.

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The BIBC tournament opening eyes to basketball in Malawi

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BRAVEHEARTS owner Griffin Kalua’s love for basketball courses through his veins to the extent that, while planning a major tournament in his country, Malawi, he still made time to take a trip to neighbouring Mozambique for a youth team tournament. Ahead of the fifth edition of the Bravehearts Basketball International Challenge, BIBC (August 28-31), he embarked on a journey with the Bravehearts U18 men’s and women’s teams to a tournament in Mozambique, from which they returned on Sunday.

Despite his busy schedule, Kalua professes love of the game, which includes creating opportunities for young talent to thrive.

“Passion and commitment. I have loved basketball since I was introduced to it many years ago. Working with young athletes and helping them achieve greatness on and off the court is my ministry. It’s something that I dedicate myself to,” said Kalua.

BIBC 2025 — **Last year’s BIBC women’s tournament champions were UNILIL Ark Angels from Malawi. Pictures: Supplied**

Just as he is hands-on with the club’s programs, he will adopt a similar approach with the upcoming tournament. The BIBC is a tournament Kalua conceptualised to grow the Brave Hearts brand.

“The BIBC challenge was a door for the world to know about Malawi’s basketball. It is a way of showing my players that there is more out there,” said Kalua. It is also a chance for our fans to watch international basketball. But my aim is for the players to aspire for more in this game.”

The growth of the tournament is also significant for Kalua, as teams from Kenya and Angola will travel to Malawi for the two-day event.

“When you come, you will understand what the BIBC is doing for Malawi basketball. There will not be an empty seat at the venue, I doubt you will find a seat,” chuckled Kalua. “Kids look out for this tournament for inspiration. It’s a chance for them to watch the best in Africa. For the first time, we have teams from Angola, Kenya and South Africa.”

Another advantage of the tournament is that youngsters have a platform to exhibit their talent.

“I intend to introduce a youth category for agents to use the tournament to scout young talents,” said Kalua.

With continental qualifying tournaments like the Road to BAL and the FIBA WBLA being around the corner, Kalua also emphasised that the tournament will serve as part of the Bravehearts’ preparation.

“For our men’s team, we have invited a couple of American players and a player from Zambia to see if we can have them for the Road to BAL,” said Kalua. “On the ladies’ side, we have a player from Zimbabwe and another from Kenya that we are having a look at. If they fit the team, then we can consider them for the qualifiers.”

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Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla

The future

Banda rolling with the Bravehearts once again