Manyehlisa Lehohla - The Big Tip Off

Phiri, Matero eyeing ZBF title to ease sting of Elite 16

LAST year in October, Saul Phiri and his Matero Magic teammates looked unstoppable in the early stages of the Road To BAL – their unbeaten campaign in Zimbabwe held a lot of promise – it looked like they would be the first from Zambia to qualify for the Basketball Africa League.

Somehow, in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Elite 16 stage, the wheels came off for the Magic. The promise they had dimmed as they got bounced out of the Elite 16 without a win to their name.

Saul Phiri Matero Magic — **Saul Phiri feels Matero belong in continental competition. Picture: FIBA**

According to 28-year-old Phiri, a player no stranger to continental terrain, the Kenya experience quickly went south due to a lack of preparation.

“Being a guy who has been to this stage a couple of times, I feel I know what to expect and tried to prep everyone for how tough that next round will be. It’s the BAL before the BAL… At that stage, every team has a good chance of qualifying, and we had to put our best foot forward and give it all we have,” said Phiri, a former La Salle University player. “Our first game, I think a lot of people were shocked at the atmosphere and the stage we were on. It’s a big stage. We played a lot of good teams like the club from Burundi (Urunani). They came undefeated (from the preliminary stages). That’s what we want. We wanted to compete against the best, but it was a tough adjustment.”

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That Elite 16 nightmare is in the distant past. Tamanga Boys’ focus is on the ongoing three-match National Club Championship final, which will feature them and the army club Green Buffaloes. Matero already has the advantage with a 91-67 over their adversaries.

Before their Game One victory over the Buffaloes last Sunday, Phiri, who joined Matero in September, was impressed with his teammates’ performance in reaching the finals.

“I did come in a little late in the season, so the team held down the fort. I think before I arrived, we had lost only one (league) game, so my teammates had done an incredible job, and I feel I came into a great situation,” said Phiri. We dropped to more (league) games after the BAL qualifiers… There was fatigue when we came back (from Kenya), but we were still first (in the league), so we stayed positive.

“We have built momentum going into the finals, and we just have to keep it up so that we can go back to the BAL (qualifiers). We want avenge what happened at the Elite 16… It still stings because we could have played better. We are preparing for a war since we are playing the army guys… We will stick to our gameplan to get the job done.”

Phiri, who has roots in Zimbabwe and Zambia, has enjoyed playing in the Zambia Basketball League and the physicality. He has also felt at home with the Magic and the family atmosphere within the club.

“The thing I like about Zambian basketball is everyone here is tough. In the league, there are no pushovers. Players here play with pace. They will run up and down or play slow,” said Phiri.

Saul Piri Matero Magic — **Saul Phiri says nerves got the best of some Matero players at last year’s Elite 16.**

On Matero, he said: “It is the family aspect that I like about them, the support you get from management to the fans, everyone involved with Matero Magic feel like family. That is a big thing for me. Every time I come here I feel like I am at home. I am grateful for that.”

Phiri and Matero have two more games to secure a 12th ZBL title. For the forward especially, bringing home the trophy would be a show of gratitude to the club and its fans for making him part of the family.

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Selepe embraces inner coach and leading MBB to the BAL

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DURING his playing days at Jeppe High School for Boys, Lebesa Selepe says he learnt he had an inner coach in him, something he took time to warm up to. In a full-circle moment, Selepe has embraced his ability to impart basketball knowledge from the sidelines at his former school.

The MBB player explains that he is not new to the stressful job of being a coach, which has formed part of his love for the game.

“I have coached basketball before in 2009, 2010, and 2011. So I can say is it feels good to be back (to coaching),” said the former Jeppe High pupil. “It feels good to be back at my old school because of the passion I have (for the school) and the game. It’s an emotional thing and I can feel my blood pressure boiling on game day.”

Lebesa Selepe Road To BAL — **Lebesa Selepe believes the Road To BAL gave pertinent lessons. Pictures: FIBA**

The 33-year-old Selepe is not sure when the coaching bug bit – what he does remember is his love for executing the plan and coaches telling him he can become one. “I don’t know exactly… Whenever I play, I am the type of player who implements whatever the coach wants us to do. Also, some of my coaches used to say to me I am one of those guys who can be like a player/coach… I can’t say this is when the bug bit… Maybe it’s something I have always had in me,” said Selepe.

The South African international says he is in coaching for the long haul and has also taken to being a mentor to the younger players.

“Coaching and commentating are things I see myself doing when I stop playing basketball… I am enjoying it. When I was younger I did not like it as much as I do now,” said the South African international. “I think I have a lot more to teach now than back then. I definitely want to do it for as long as possible and to keep on imparting knowledge given the different levels of basketball I have played.”

Selepe is a seasoned hooper. He played for South Africa in the 2017 AfroBasket. Before joining last year’s national champions MBB, he had already played in two Basketball Africa League (BAL) tournaments in the colours of the defunct Cape Town Tigers.

This year, he will make a third appearance at the BAL in the Blue of MBB, and what makes the journey fulfilling for Selepe is that he is achieving his milestone with a South African-owned outfit.

“It feels great. MBB is a South African product, a homegrown club and they are also close to my heart. So going there (to the BAL) with them is absolutely amazing,” said Selepe.

MBB got a taste of things to come in the BAL during the Road To BAL Elite 16 in Nairobi, Kenya, last year. iTeam Yase Dladleni (The Home Team) managed one victory in the group stages and did not progress to the next round.

Jeppe coach Lebesa Selepe — **Lebesa Selepe has embraced being a coach at his former high school.**

Reflecting on his fourth Elite 16 tournament, Selepe cited administrative matters and a lack of preparation as MBB’s stumbling blocks. Despite the challenges, the former Jozi Nuggets player believes things will improve.

“The two games we lost, one against the hosts Nairobi City Thunder – in that game, we did not have enough depth because some of our players could not play because of registration, so we were thin (in the game against the Thunder) and ran out of gas. The lesson there is to make certain the house is in order in terms of paperwork and admin and to ensure our conditioning is at a higher level,” said Selepe. “Against Kriol Star, I think it is a game we should have won. We had numerous opportunities to win that game. So we have to stay locked in to win basketball games.

“The results may not look that way, but we were competitive as MBB… We are on the right track.”

Having the evergreen Neo Mothiba and the battle-hardened Pieter Prinsloo in the team solidifies the spine, and a good run of preparatory matches will see MBB raring to go.

MBB's Lebesa Selepe — **Lebesa Selepe has enjoyed many battles alongside Neo Mothiba, left.**

Selepe spoke on teaming up again with his 2017 AfroBasket teammates. “Neo Mothiba is a warrior. You can go to war with him any day. He is ageing in reverse. It’s always great to play with him. He is a super leader, a guy that commands a lot of respect. He plays the game at a high level despite his age so that is the type you want to go into battle with,” said Selepe. “Pieter is a high-calibre player. He is a 6-foot-10 guy who can knock down the three and secure the middle. He is a treasure to have on any team.”

For Selepe and Co. the work to be ready for the BAL continues. Hopefully, by the start of the tournament, the Blue Soldiers will be well-armoured for continental battle.

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SA coaches cry foul over non-payment for U18 AfroBasket

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FOUR months have passed since the U18 AfroBasket (for men and women) ended on South African shores. However, some of the rubble from the chaotic way Basketball South Africa (BSA) organised the tournament remains.

The national federation appointed technical staff for the U18 teams at the eleventh hour and agreed on payments for the two-week tournament in the South African capital, Tshwane. Sadly, long-time servants of South African basketball Florsheim Ngwenya, Nosipho Njokweni and Craig Gilchrist say they and their colleagues have yet to receive their payments.

Njokweni (coach of the women’s team) and Gilchrist (assistant to the men’s team) expressed their frustration with the national federation. The former national team players intimated that this was an age-old issue, which had become worse under the current executive, stewarded by Sanele Mthiyane.

BSA took their calls, but they have now gone quiet

Gilchrist says the lack of professionalism has long been the modus operandi of BSA. “First of all, there was no direct communication with me about coaching the under-18s. I found out about it (my appointment) on a social media post on Facebook, which I do not use. My wife showed me the post saying Florsh (Ngwenya) and I had been named coaches,” said the former national team captain. “I then tried to get hold of Sanele to find out if it was fake news. He said it was not and that the secretary general (Sibongile Fondini) would get a hold of me, but he did not. Curtis (Van Wyk), the team manager, called me to make the travel arrangements, and I just got on the plane and arrived there (in Tshwane).

AfroBasket Craig Gilchrist — **Craig Gilchrist says BSA has always operated haphazardly. Pictures: FIBA**

Gilchrist says they met with the federation’s leadership before the AfroBasket tipped off to thrash out payment matters. “Towards the end of the camp, Sanele and Sibongile (Fondini) met with the technical staff, and they said we would be paid for our time,” said Gilchrist.

Asked if they were presented with documents to sign, Gilchrist said the following: “There is never anything signed with BSA. In all my dealings with them since 1997 as a player, I have never signed anything with BSA.”

The former senior national men’s team coach says others who also served at the tournament are in a similar boat. He also says Fondini has stopped taking their calls regarding payment.

“None of the coaches, managers and medical staff have been paid from AfroBasket. Initially, the SG (Fondini) responded to our questions but has since gone quiet. We are all in the same WhatsApp group. A week ago, I got hold of Sanele and asked him (about payment). He gave me the same old political response, ‘Your message has been received and I will revert to you as soon as possible’,” said Gilchrist. “So it’s clear they are not going to pay us.”

Despite challenges with previous BSA administrations, Gilchrist says the current one has proven extremely difficult to work with. “In the nineties, we were frustrated with BSA because we felt they were not doing a proper job. If I compare that to now, they were doing a phenomenal job, there were IPTs for under-18s and 16s, national club championships that lasted longer than a week and national teams travelled regularly. They were doing way better than the current executive,” said Gilchrist.

Njokweni says things are much worse

Njokweni spoke in the same vein as Gilchrist regarding the state of the federation. “The things that happened when I was a player are still happening now since I have become a coach and it has become worse,” said Njokweni. “For the last four months, we have been asking about our payments, and their (BSA) response to us was they are waiting for money from the government. So we are still waiting and we don’t know how long that will take.”

SA coach Nosipho Njokweni — **Nosipho Njokweni did not have her full technical staff during the U18 AfroBasket.**

Njokweni recalled the rushed appointments and how BSA promised contracts that never materialised. Also after fulfilling their mandate, they are still to get a cent from the federation. “Two things happened. When they (BSA) asked us to take up the (coaching) job, it was the night before (the start of the AfroBasket). The second thing, during the camp, we were told (by BSA) that we would get contracts with a specified amount of money… It was Sibongile who showed us on his laptop what the contract would look like, but to this day nothing has happened (about payment),” said Njokweni.

She lamented the state of the game by comparing the time she was a player and the present condition. Njokweni says previous administrations did try to do right by them despite the inadequacies of the time.

“I feel the federation has taken advantage of a lot of things. I’ll tell you why. Twenty years ago, I was a player too. When I was with the national team, and we were playing away, I would get $100. If we were in the country, I would get R50,” said Njokweni. “The coaches would get their contracts, sign them and even if they did not get their money immediately they would get it soon after the tournament. So at least something was happening at that time. As much as we were not happy a lot was happening. Right now nothing is happening.”

Ngwenya feels there is a loss of trust

Like his two colleagues, Florsheim Ngwenya, coach of the U18 national men’s team at AfroBasket, has experienced various BSA administrations. He believes one thing has remained the same – unchanging operational habits.

“There is a payment structure that BSA agrees on with coaches and technical staff, but (BSA does not honour that),” said Ngwenya. “It’s sad that when you enter into an agreement and the one party breaches it. It is frustrating that we are still here today.”

Florsheim Ngwenya SA coach — **Florsheim Ngwenya is disappointed at BSA’s treatment of coaches and technical staff.**

Ngwenya stressed the need to work in a trustworthy environment in the future, as the current way of working was not palatable. “If you come back to me and tell me ‘we need your services’. I will ask what is going to be different this time around. It’s not about financial rewards. It is about trust. If the organisation is not able to meet its obligation they have to explain why,” said Ngwenya.

The senior national team coach says what makes him sad is the federation’s failure to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the coaches and technical staff. “It was disappointing because we were handling the administration for the kids. When you receive such a huge task, you do not want to moonwalk through it. You expect that they will appreciate you. It has not been the case. Even a thank you… Or a letter of acknowledgement for the work we put in. It’s not great, but it would have been ok. All we have gotten is dead silence and that is disappointing,” concluded Ngwenya.

At the time of publishing, the BSA had not responded to our requests for comment.

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Nyatlo elevates her game after overcoming a series of injuries

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FOR different reasons, Ipeleng Nyatlo says she has developed an appreciation for basketball. The reason for this renewed love for the game may have to do with two injury setbacks and getting to play in continental club qualifiers. The experiences have matured her as a player and a person.

Nyatlo broke new ground when she joined the Tanzanian club, Fox Divas for Africa Basketball Women’s League qualifiers. It exposed her to a higher level of basketball and made her question why the game in South Africa was so stagnant.

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Nyatlo explains how she began to see the game in a different light after her second brush with injury and during her time with Fox Divas.

Ipeleng Nyatlo of Fox Divas — **Ipeleng Nyatlo stepped into another level of basketball in Tanzania. Picture: FIBA and NBA Africa**

Nyatlo came face-to-face with her body’s fragility during her first two seasons in South Africa’s Women’s Basketball National League (WBNL). A meniscus tear on her right leg (2021) and a broken right wrist (2022) derailed her progress in the game.

She says the setbacks were a teachable moment for her. She honestly reflected that the time on the sidelines re-emphasised why a team exists.

“My first year in the league, I tore my meniscus and was out for the season. In the second (season) I broke my wrist… That was challenging because it was my dominant hand. It was challenging. I was saying to myself, ‘I can’t believe this… First my hand and now my knee’. What’s going on?” Nyatlo asked herself.

“I told myself I was not going to break down because of the injuries. I was going to learn as much as possible. The biggest thing I surprisingly learnt was the importance of everyone in the team. Not that I did not know it before the injuries, but I realised the role players on the bench have and that they can be more useful for the players on the court. So, I learnt to appreciate the game from the sidelines.

“I genuinely learnt to be supportive of other people on the court.”

Nyatlo also learnt that instead of being self-reliant during her recovery, she could lean on others for support. After being out of the game for a year and a half, she told IOL Sport she consulted a therapist to help her reconnect with the game.

“Being at work I felt like something was missing. It got to a stage where work was no longer enjoyable. The schedule was hectic and I went on a downward spiral mental health-wise. I had stopped doing the things I loved so I reached out to a therapist who reminded me how I used to just go distress at basketball court when I was a student. But that with work all that was gone. She encouraged me to go back to doing the thing I love and get fuel from it so I could do the things I had to do,” said Nyatlo.

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When she eventually returned to the court during the annual Ashraf Loedewyk tournament in the colours of the Rising Suns, Nyatlo felt she was a shell of her pre-injury self. To regain her on-court confidence, the point guard enlisted the services of skills trainer Nica Nicolae, who has worked with some well-known names in African basketball.

Nyatlo was overcome by nervousness ahead of the session with Nicolae, but she looked within for encouragement which led to a change in attitude.

“After the Ashies, I had a session with NIBA (Nicolae’s skills program). I had not touched a ball in a while… In his training sessions, you do a lot. Heading there, I did not know how I would do,” said Nyatlo. “So when he set the date, I sat the whole week thinking, ‘I am going to be terrible. This guy will post my workout on the net, while I am terrible’.

“Then I remembered this line, ‘Don’t write yourself off’. Whenever I feel something might be difficult, I remind myself of those words. So I’ll never think I am unworthy. I will not be the first person to write myself off. If I get cut from me team, it will not be because I thought less of my ability or myself.”

Following a productive WBNL season culminating in a final appearance with the Tshwane Suns, Nyatlo switched to the more competitive climes – suiting up for Tanzania’s Fox Divas to help their attempt to make the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA).

“I was grateful to get the experience because in South Africa, we don’t get to play much international basketball. It reminded me of my first BWB. I was used to playing with players from South Africa. Then, I got exposed to the skill level of other players and realised there was a gap. I knew I was not doing enough so when I got back, I started working my game,” said Nyatlo. It was a similar experience when I played with Fox. We lost most of our games, but I was grateful for that experience and playing against competitive teams.

“In a similar fashion, I am going home, and I will work differently… You realise that there are different levels to this game of basketball.”

Ipeleng Nyatlo at Fox Divas — **Ipeleng Nyatlo has questions about South African basketball.**

The experience in Tanzania had Nyatlo wondering why basketball in South Africa was not progressing. She felt the country had sufficient basketball amenities to succeed on the court.

“Some of the big takeaways were probably off the court. South Africa is well-equipped (in terms of basketball), and we are blessed with facilities. It baffles me that some countries don’t have as much as we do, but they perform much better than us. So what is it?” asked Nyatlo.

“Do they have more leagues or better coaches? These are some of the questions I asked myself. What is also amazing is how people (in Tanzania) show up for basketball. For the local leagues, people pack those venues. They love basketball there.”

Nyatlo seems to have had her foundations shaken for the better in Tanzania. She is realising there is room for growth in her skillset. While her home country, South Africa, lags in basketball in some parts of the continent, the game keeps moving, allowing players like Nyatlo to broaden their horizons.

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Basketball South Africa executive fumble the ball

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LIKE many in the South African basketball fraternity, I watched with great bewilderment on Friday as Basketball South Africa (BSA) made a comical and shoddy attempt to present their Annual Report and give feedback on their hosting of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture.

It was a disaster, to say the least, and probably set the game back. So the portfolio committee rightly had a field day – grilling and roasting the federation for what they offered.

Federation president Sanele Mthiyane and his secretary general Sibongile Fondini only succeeded in greeting and introducing themselves to the committee members. After the formalities, one elected official after the other tore into their sorry excuse for a report – leaving both men embarrassed.

Men's U18 AfroBasket — **South Africa’s U18 men’s team had a poor showing at the U18 AfroBasket tournament. Pictures: The BTO**

Terms like incompetence, ineptitude, and out of their depth traversed my mind as the committee members highlighted the cacophony of errors in the report the secretary general tried to present.

It (the report) seriously lacked attention to detail. The poor numbering of pages drew the ire and laughter of committee members in attendance. Portfolio chairperson, Joseph McGluwa pointed out the lack of indicators and targets on the report to show BSA’s performance. There was no way of telling whether any performance targets had been reached. He noted that it was erroneous for Fondini to be the sole author of the report. “Under normal circumstances, a report of this nature is prepared by all assigned or by all members,” said McGluwa.

It turned into a masterclass on how not to run a federation. It seemed as if BSA was keen to present box-ticking exercises of events without providing sufficient scope of how they benefited or progressed South African basketball.

Aware that BSA was trying to pull a fast one, the Portfolio Committee duly blocked the attempt by BSA to proceed with their presentation.

Sibongile Fondini at the BSA presser — **BSA Secretary General Sibongile Fondini could not present the Annual Report on Friday.**

Liam Jacobs, a portfolio committee member and former player, highlighted how BSA’s actions hindered basketball in the country. He was scathing in his assessment, given his attachment to basketball.

“This is what we call a generational fumble. In basketball terms, it is a fumble. This is a shame. It is completely wrong and if it goes on like this, South Africa is never gonna get its own Kobe Bryant. South Africa is never gonna get its own Michael Jordan. South Africa is never gonna get its own LeBron James. We will be stuck with the worst of the worst until Basketball South Africa gets its house in order. …Basketball has its own capacity to be part of Project 300. If we want to send more Olympians, we need to develop them in sports such as basketball. This is absolutely disgusting. It’s despicable. The report is airy-fairy. It’s wishy-washy,” said Jacobs.

The exasperated parliamentarians sent Mthiyane and Fondini packing, with the former offering a meagre apology. BSA was instructed to present itself to Parliament again and revise its report. The Department of Sports Arts and Culture was requested to accompany BSA on that visit.

Anyone who listened to the remarks lambasting BSA would have cause to run to the hilltops and shout for the BSA executive to resign. Whether that will happen is another thing, but they (BSA) can no longer fly under the radar.

It comes against the backdrop of the unorganised way BSA delivered the U18 AfroBasket, a tournament they had known about for over six months. The 11th-hour announcement of the South African men’s and women’s teams ahead of the tournament bordered on the ridiculous. In the end, the poor results from both teams were not surprising as there was zero preparation time.

Irked and disheartened by the losses of both teams, especially the women (who suffered heavy defeats), Samkelo Cele, one of South Africa’s finest talents, tweeted on X (formerly known as Twitter). “These are not “tough losses” these are embarrassing losses and something needs to change. This song has been sung over and over again. Can we actually start doing something about basketball in South Africa because I am tired of things being like this. CAN THE FEDERATION WORK?”

The scathing statements of the Portfolio Committee and Cele’s comment indicate that the national federation is irredeemable.

**BSA president Sanele Mthiyane could only apologise to the portfolio committee for their poor report.**

CAN THE FEDERATION WORK? It is a resounding Yes.

The basketball fraternity must select and elect the best among themselves. South Africa does not lack the intellectual, business and technical expertise to make basketball work. BSA can do with a dose of good fortune in leadership. If South Africa gets it right at the national level, this will have a cascading impact at all the other levels.

A change in leadership is only the beginning. BSA must run a capable office that coordinates and drives basketball activities in the country. A fit-for-purpose office should enhance BSA’s communication with its key stakeholders in the basketball fraternity. That office can leverage commercial opportunities to support those activities.

The Department of Sport Arts and Culture must support the federation’s revival.

That roadmap to recovery should include how districts and provinces can align to support the national program. Talent identification programs should be streamlined to support a common goal. Referees and technical officials should be capacitated to support the basketball program. Coaches should be empowered to maintain high standards in player development.

At a continental level, BSA must nurture a better working relationship with FIBA Africa. South Africa can benefit from the talent development programmes FIBA offers. An enhanced relationship with FIBA Africa will also be beneficial when South Africa hosts continental basketball tournaments.

South African basketball deserves better. BSA can do better.

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Boissy wants to give Urunani fans joy in Road To BAL

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JEAN Jacques Boissy said when the opportunity to further his playing career in Burundi’s VBL came, he did not have to think twice. He saw the move as a chance to grow his game. But he did more than hone his skill set, he surpassed expectations on the court – Boissy played a pivotal role in Urunani Basketball Club’s championship run.

The mercurial point guard wasted no time endearing himself to the club’s fans. When Boissy stepped on the outdoor Terrain Department concrete turf in Bujumbura, he was a show-stopper. He lit up the skies with star performances, which led giants Urunani Basketball Club to a 17 VBL title.

Boissy, the VBL leading scorer with 405 points in 21 games, capped off the marvellous season by scooping the MVP title. So impressive were his performances during the season such that the Sisi Wenyewe re-signed Boissy for their preliminary Road To BAL campaign in Tanzania (16-20 October).

**Jean Jacques Boissy says it’s impressive how fans love basketball in Burundi. Pictures: Urunani**

His decision to not take time off the game opened his eyes to a different culture. Boissy says how fans showed up for basketball in the East African nation is impressive.

“When I signed for Urunani, it was during the summer… Players either rest their bodies or take time to work on their game,” said the Senegal floor general. “When the opportunity came to help a new team reach their goals, I did not hesitate. It gave me time to work on my game and get better.

“I was also surprised at how much fans love for the game. It’s either you are an Urunani or a Dynamo fan here. They really love the game. I was also impressed with the level of competition.”

The 23-year-old reflected on the team and individual success he achieved. He expressed his gratitude and felt he fulfilled his obligation to Urunani. He was also equally chuffed with his MVP award.

“I feel great and I am also grateful for everything I achieved with them. I reached every expectation they had of me when I joined,” said Boissy. “The individual achievement is just a little spark for all the hard work I put in behind the scenes.”

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Urunani will expect more from their star point guard in the Road To BAL in Kibaha, which is almost an hour from the Tanzania capital, Dar Es Salaam. Boissy says he wants to repay Urunani’s faith in him by leading them to the BAL. Should they achieve that feat, they will become the second club after Dynamo to qualify for the NBA-backed competition.

“I reached one goal with them. So I signed again because there is another goal I want to achieve with them. I want to help give Urunani joy – the fans deserve it for the way they love the game,” said Boissy.

He may be young, but Boissy has experience beyond his years, having led Senegal club AS Douanes to the final of BAL Season 3 last year. His feats that season earned him All-BAL First Team and All-BAL Defensive First Team honours.

So there is no doubt Urunani have a gem in Boissy, who reflected on his performances in last season’s BAL competition.

“I feel it was God rewarding me for my hard work. It was a confidence boost knowing how far I could reach. So I am going to keep trying till I get the BAL trophy,” said Boissy.

“It was a really good experience making the BAL final in my first year. When I came to the scene, I had a lot of work to do – I took time to learn from the best players whether they were teammates or not.”

Boissy looks forward to working with new coach and compatriot Pabi Gueye, who led Douanes to the BAL final and won coach of the year for his exploits.

Pabi Gueye and Jean Jacques Boissy — **Jean Jacques Boissy says Pabi Gueye has what it takes to lead Urunani.**

The star point guard describes Gueye, who took over from VBL winning coach Elvis Hakizimana, as “calm” and as one who has high expectations of the teams he coaches.

“Coach Pabi is a smart coach. He is calm. He is the type of coach who will keep players accountable, and he can get the best out of them as well,” said Boissy.

With an experienced player in Boissy and a task-master coach in Gueye, Urunani looks primed for success in the preliminary qualifiers of the Road To BAL. What could stand in the way of their success is themselves.

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Almeida waxes lyrical about his music and success on the court

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IVAN Almeida has wowed crowds in the colours of Cape Verde on the international stage and in the different vests of European clubs he has played for. His exceptional talent has been rewarded with an abundance of team and individual accolades at the club level. But there is more to Almeida than just basketball.

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Almeida waxed lyrical about his success on the court, the pinnacle of his career and his excitement when his second love – music was shared on the biggest stage in basketball.

The Cape Verdean generational talent intimated that music is one of the defining characteristics of his homeland. As soon as the music bug hit, Almeida could not help but get in on the act, citing the late great Cesaria Evora as one of Cape Verde’s influences.

“Music has been a part of my life from a young age. Cesaria is one of our most impactful artists – I think we are born with music in our blood,” said Almeida, who has avoided confining himself to a type of music. It helps that he is also a well-travelled hooper, as the exposure has diversified his artistic repertoire.

“I don’t have a genre of music. The EP I made with my friend was mostly hip-hop, R&B and pop songs… I have traditional Cape Verde songs and music from all over the world.

“I see music as another way of expressing myself… Since I have been to many countries I have absorbed different cultures and fused them into my music. I feel I have freedom when I write or produce music. I love it.”

Ivan Almeida at the World Cup — **Ivan Almeida heard his music being played at last year’s World Cup. Pictures: FIBA**

His focus is on his first love, basketball, which gave him a taste of African club basketball. He was a key figure in helping Libyan club Al Ahli Tripoli (hosts of the preliminary stages of the Road To BAL) to qualify for the Elite 16 leg of the Road To BAL.

Almeida says he has watched the main course, the BAL, from a distance. And since its emergence, it has piqued his interest. So getting a bite at the starter Road To BAL was exciting for the 35-year-old.

“It means everything. Since the BAL started, I have kept track of it and how it has developed. It has been something at the back of mind to play in it. So being here is amazing, even if it’s the Road To BAL. The atmosphere has been amazing,” said Almeida.

Part of Al Ahli’s journey to success had a dose of sentiment for Almeida. In the last game, he had to help Al Ahli beat Kriol Star, a club he founded with his brother Joel, a player for the Cape Verdean club.

While he may have felt a tinge of emotion, Ivan, who averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Road To BAL, says he always plays to win.

“It was kinda weird, but I take basketball very seriously… Walter (Hodge) and I were talking at lunch. He asked, ‘You are going to play against your brother. Are you going to let him win?’. I told him, ‘no I am not. It does not matter who I play against, I play to win,'” chuckled Almeida.

He was also proud that a club from his country graced continental competition. “It is definitely a pleasure to have seen a Cape Verdean team there… My brother and I started Kriol Star – hopefully, sooner rather than later, I’ll be able to play for them to help raise our basketball,” said Almeida. “It’s amazing to see the professionalisation of the country’s (Cape Verde) basketball given where it was before… Seeing Cape Verdean players compete with other Africans is important.

“Back to the game, I take every game professionally – I told my brother we were gonna beat them.”

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While on a short-term contract with the side based in the Libyan capital (Tripoli), he is weighing his options – one of those is possibly playing in the BAL with the North Africans.

“I have signed a two week contract. My agent is still looking in places like Asia and Europe. Hopefully, I will stay here but we will see how things go,” said Almeida.

The 2019 Poland Basketball League (PLK) Finals MVP says he would like to follow in the footsteps of African greats who have played in the league. “I have watched many greats play there (the BAL) – like Carlos Morais and my teammate Walter (Hodge). I would love to be in the BAL like the African greats who have played in it,” said Almeida.

He is also one of the most accomplished players from Africa – winning league titles in Poland (2) and Portugal (3). Almeida is full of gratitude for a trophy-laden career, and he is still hungry for more.

“These last few years have been amazing for me. I finally figured out how to win, and in the last six seasons, I have won five championships,” said Almeida. “It’s been about figuring out what needs to happen to win a championship. What sacrifices do we have to make? We all play basketball because we love it. But we also want to win.

“Many players go through their careers without winning a championship. So I am grateful to have done it and at high level. Hopefully it keeps going.”

Ivan Almeida Benfica — **Ivan Almeida won three Portuguese League titles during his time at Benfica.**

He has achieved much at the club level, but Almeida says that it does not compare to playing in last year’s FIBA World Cup. It was a historical moment for the island – being the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament.

“It’s not one of the greatest moments of my career. It is the greatest – putting Cape Verde on the big stage like the World Cup. We did it as a team and it was more than being the smallest nation at the tournament,” said Almeida. “The journey to getting there and all the sacrifices that we had to make. Not having pleasant conditions at times and many other struggles made us achieve the impossible.

“People sent messages saying thank you for representing us and putting us on the world stage. It was a superb feeling to see the gratitude of the people.”

He also described the moment his two passions collided on the global extravaganza.

“One of the greatest feelings I felt was walking to warm up… The first thing I saw was the Cape Verdean flag… I was listening to my music on the headphones. When I took them off and heard the music I released playing at the venue. I was like ‘Wow this is crazy’. I am experiencing two of my passions basketball and music. It was amazing,” concluded Almeida.

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Basketball, the ace that shaped Ogharanduku’s life

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SHARON Ogharanduku has four roles to fulfil: being a counsellor, a wife, motherhood, and playing basketball. She says having a supportive family has helped her maintain the balance she needs. Being married in basketball is also a bonus for Ogharanduku – she described her husband, former Rivers Hoopers player Precious Saliu, as a pillar of support.

“My partner is really supportive. His family is also the same. When I travel for games, they stay with the kids. They have backed and encouraged me even when I wanted to let it (basketball) go – they reminded me how much I loved it,” said the 30-year-old.

Her love affair with the game goes way back and she has fond memories of her first big breakthrough. She remembers being a part of Nigeria’s U18 AfroBasket in 2010. That year, Ogharanduku and the J’Tigress had a finals appearance and a ticket to the 2011 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Sadly, that trip did not happen for the J’Tigress team. “We were not able to get our visas on time for the trip to Chile. We were at the airport, but it did not happen,” recalled Ogharanduku.

**Sharon Ogharanduku, right, says Women’s Premier League surprise package Aces are in a building phase. Pictures: Royal Aces**

The experience was life-changing for Ogharanduku and her teammates. She says it was at the 2010 continental tournament that she realised that basketball was part of her life’s calling.

“It was another level of basketball for us. It showed us that we could compete. That was also the year I decided to pursue basketball as a career,” said the Ogharanduku. “I felt I could do this (play basketball). I also had a scholarship opportunity to study in America – unfortunately, I could not get a visa to travel.

“It also opened doors for many of us. Only a few of us are still in Nigeria – and all of us are doing one or two things successfully through basketball. Also, every one of us pursued an education.”

While basketball remained a passion for Ogharanduku, she chose not to confine herself to the game. She also understood the value of education and the avenues it could open for her.

“I did not have the target of going pro – I wanted to go to school. As I said, before I had the opportunity to go and study in the United States, but that did not happen,” said Ogharanduku.

She expressed her disappointment at losing out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – she had to pick herself up and find a plan B.

“I was a kid at the time, so yes, I was a little discouraged. But I knew I had to go to school. It did not matter where or how. I needed something to make me stand out,” said Ogharanduku. “I know all the great players are professional in one thing or another… That is why I decided to go to school in Nigeria and study to become a counsellor. In my final year, I got back to playing again.”

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After a stint with 2023 Women’s Premier League Champions Nigeria Customs, the floor general joined the new team on the block Royal Aces. Ogharanduku refers to herself as one of the veteran players and mentors the youngsters on the team. She acceded to the request of her coach to move from primary ball handler to being a power forward. However, this request was a shock to her system, given that she lacked the height for the position.

“I am one of the older players in the team. The younger players look up to me. They look to me and other vets for guidance on the court,” said the former Customs player. “I was a point guard in the team, but the coach converted me and explained that the team needed some experience in that department.

“I was like ‘Really coach, I have never played at the four… Also, I don’t have the size for that position.'”

Ogharanduku says her coach stuck to his guns on the position switch. “He was adamant and said, ‘Sharon, you are not as skinny as you used to be. You are a mom now – you can handle this,'” said the mother of two. “So, I have brought my motherly role into basketball. It has helped a great deal. The good thing is that my teammates are also ready to learn. When you are with teammates that want to cooperate with you it’s easier.”

Ogharanduku and her Royal Aces teammates are in tandem ahead of their Final 8 of the Women’s Premier Basketball League. Four games in the Final 8 phase (10-13 October) stand between the Aces and a place in the semi-finals in Lagos. The veteran treaded on caution when discussing her team’s chances of winning the league.

“I would say we are 100 per cent ready. By God’s grace, we hope to triumph. We are a new team finding its feet. Yes, what we have achieved was above expectation,” said Ogharanduku. “… Because we have gotten this far, everyone sees us. We are also hungry, which is good. We have one another’s backs because we have the same goal. That is what will push us.”

Ogharanduku’s story is one of community, overcoming disappointment and starting afresh and all these elements she has brought to the Aces team also trying to defy the odds.

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Ongwae ready to rumble with Thunder in Road To BAL

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TYLOR Ongwae is a heralded son in Kenyan basketball, from providing a historic clutch moment in a Morans vest to capturing domestic and continental success in Europe. He has done it all in his career. Winning the FIBA Europe Cup quenched his thirst for a major trophy and was a fitting end to his lengthy and storied career abroad.

Ongwae, who signed with Kenya Basketball League champions Nairobi City Thunder in August, says the reason for his return home – after 14 years away – was to be near his business interests and a strong desire to inspire a new generation of players in his homeland.

“Last year, when I won the Europe Cup (with Germany’s Niners Chemnitz), I knew I was done. I tried to win it (Europe Cup) with five different teams… So when I finally won, I said to myself ‘I am done’,” he said vehemently. “Also, I am 33 now… I felt it was the right time to come and settle down.”

Tylor Ongwae Niners — **Tylor Ongwae decided to return to Kenya after winning the FIBA Europe Cup. Pictures FIBA and Thunder Media**

Ongwae, a three-time Basketligaen league champion with the Bakken Bears of Denmark, says he wanted an opportunity to play in Kenya’s domestic league, something he has yet to experience.

“I have always wanted to play in Kenya… So this was a good time to do that and when I still have more to offer (on the court). When younger players see me playing here, it will encourage them…’ They will be able to see that, ‘this guy has played outside Kenya for 14 years and he was successful. I can learn from him’,” said Eldoret-born Ongwae.

Being home also means he can be hands-on with his business. “Regarding business – it’s good to be here rather than being outside,” said Ongwae, who has meat production as one of his enterprises. “We have a farm where we keep animals, and we sell the meat to people in Eldoret and Nairobi.”

Back to the business of basketball, before joining the star-laden Thunder, Ongwae had a few insights into the team. What made joining the Thunder more enticing for Ongwae was that the team had several Morans players in their set-up.

Bound for the Road To BAL, the addition of Ongwae to the Thunder’s roster bolsters the Nairobi team’s chances of successfully navigating the first stage of the Division East (15-20 October).

“Before I returned to Germany last year, I had a few practice sessions with them (City Thunder). I saw their professionalism and how they treat players. It excited me. I believe it’s worthwhile joining this team,” said Ongwae. “Also, eight of the players are my teammates in the national team (the Morans), so I had conversations with them about joining… I was sold and decided I want to be part of this team so we can chase the BAL.”

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Ongwae has already tasted the BAL – having signed for Cote d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters for Season 3’s playoffs. He says the level of competition surprised him.

“It was highly competitive that year. There were good teams… We lost by one point (against Petro de Luanda). It has gotten better each year. Teams have to prepare well,” said Ongwae.

In trying to become the first team from Kenya to qualify for the BAL, Thunder first has to get to the Elite 16 – their journey starts in neighbouring Tanzania. Host club JKT, Urunani (Burundi), Hawassa City (Ethiopia), Beau Vallon (Seychelles), Ushindzi (Comoros) and GNBC (Madagascar) all lie in wait for the Thunder.

“For the last month, we have been focusing on ourselves… especially the work we have to do on offence and defence – we know the group we are up against, and will focus on our opponents when the competition begins,” said Ongwae.

The two-time Danish Basketligaen Defensive Player of The Year and the Thunder have a decent amount of time to dot their I’s and cross their T’s before the start of The Road To BAL.

And as Ongwae embarks on this new journey, he also took a moment to reflect on his milestones.

While winning the FIBA Europe Cup was memorable for Ongwae – his game-winning deep two against Angola at the buzzer in the 2021 AfroBasket qualifier ranks much higher in his career.

**Tylor Ongwae during the qualifier clash which saw him make the shot that qualified Kenya for the 2021 AfroBasket.**

It was a shot that ended the Kenya men’s team’s 28-year hiatus from the continental tournament.

“Winning in Europe was one of the best feelings. I tried five times – four of them we lost in the knockout stages. Then there was the COVID year when we made the semi-finals, but we ended up not playing,” said Ongwae. “So just getting back on that stage and winning was an amazing feeling. It was really amazing.”

He reflected on the impact of his game-winning shot against the once-mighty Angola.

“I would say qualifying for the AfroBasket after 28 years was big-time. It was huge for us and the country. It restarted everything to do with basketball in the country. I hope in years to come there will be more talent coming out of Kenya and it will take us further than where we are now,” said Ongwae.

Ongwae is a certified legend in Kenya basketball. He has risen to the occasion for his country and the clubs he has played for abroad. Can he solidify his legacy by helping lead a club from Kenya to a first BAL? It would be a thunderous feat for club and country.

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DUEP a worthwhile invesment for KZN basketball

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SAZI Msane, the owner of the DUEP Academy, joked that revealing what he spent to start the basketball outfit would probably end his marriage. Jokes aside, Msane says his philanthropic endeavour (DUEP) aims to change young people’s lives, especially in his community of Richard’s Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Msane, a qualified project manager, discusses DUEP’s journey, its impact on KZN and its participation in the national club championships in August.

Asked what the name DUEP meant, Msane explained, that there was no real meaning to it, and he came up with the name to get kids “hooked” on basketball, which has seemingly worked.

“The name (DUEP) does not have a specific meaning – it was something to get people hooked,” said Msane, a former amateur basketball player. “I saw in my district there was a gap in basketball, so I started a team. Once the team began running, I realised the needs were more. Then it became an academy.

“We develop the basketball skills of players who are interested in the game and those that have the potential to go further. We have been doing that for two years.”

DUEP in action — **DUEP Academy is dedicated to changing the lives of its players. Pictures: The BTO**

Apart from growing his team’s structures, Msane says that beyond basketball, they also focus on the educational well-being of players, which has led to others successfully obtaining scholarships.

“We have four teams, from seniors to under-12 – our players have participated in competitions at all levels (district, provincial and national) – it is one of our biggest milestones,” said Msane. “Our program also focuses on education… We want to ensure our players also do well in school, and we work with them to access universities or get scholarships. Recently, we gave two players scholarships to the University of Cape Town Online High School.

“One of our founding principles is discipline… When a kid has discipline, they can adjust to life and grow. So, we have been able to change lives and save them too!”

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If what Msane says is anything to go by, starting a passion project like DUEP was not cheap. So far, the only profit he has gained is changing the lives of the kids playing in his academy.

“If I told how much I spent opening this academy, my wife would divorce me,” joked Msane. “It takes a lot of time and money (to run DUEP). I have my profession, and every time I focus on basketball, it takes me away from the things that give me an income.

“As our logo says, “It’s worth it”… But I won’t disclose how much I have spent because my wife will divorce me.”

Msane took another step in growing the profile of his academy. Last August, he brought his senior men’s and women’s teams to Gauteng for the National Club Championships. Msane says the club championships – not on the itinerary of tournaments for the academy – were an eye-opener.

“The exposure was good for us. We did not plan to come to the (national club) championships. Fortunately, we made it. We gathered a lot of experience. Our players got to play against professional players and learnt from that. It is a point of growth for everyone,” said Msane.

He also harbours big dreams for DUEP and says the academy has already impacted the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“We have run a lot of programs in our province. So, it’s hard to ignore us because of the work we have done. Some of our coaches and managers have been appointed to roles in provincial events. I have managed some of KZN’s best under-18 teams at national tournaments,” said Msane. “We have held coaches and referees courses, with the permission of local federations, since they provide the blueprint of what has to happen.”

Sazi Msane at the club championships — **Sazi Msane has big dreams for DUEP Academy.**

Finally, he spoke about his vision for DUEP. “We want to be part of a developmental provincial league. There are a lot of tournaments, but those are short-term,” said Msane. “We also want a sports school with basketball as one of the codes. We are looking for space to build an academy because other facilities cost us a lot. This is where we see ourselves in the future.”

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Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla

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