Manyehlisa Lehohla - The Big Tip Off

Hendricks confident SA can step up their on home court

(PRETORIA) SOUTH African U18 team captain Taite Hendricks spoke with conviction in saying the men’s team should not be taken lightly ahead of their opening game at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket tournament.

On Tuesday (today), Hendricks will lead his team against the East African nation Rwanda at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall, where the games are taking place.

Hendricks expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to captain the host nation on this momentous occasion for youth basketball.

“It was excitement and a little bit of nerves. It is a high-level tournament and there are going to be many eyes watching, so there will always be nerves. I am excited to get to play basketball at this level,” said Hendricks. “I am trying to lead by example… Trying to keep everyone’s spirits up. We must stay ready the whole time because you never know what can happen.”

Taite Hendricks and his teammates — **Taite Hendricks, second row, feels his team will bring the right energy against Rwanda. Pictures: The BTO**

Aware that his team may have a limitation or two, the St Charles pupil and his teammates are up for the job ahead.

“We are feeling excited. It’s good to see the variety that we have in our team. We are obviously an undersized team, but that is not going to deter us at all. We are going to put our best effort on the court and show that South Africa is not a team to play with,” said Hendricks

Like their female counterparts, the South African men’s team got together only a few days before the youth competition, meaning they must hastily adjust to the demands of the AfroBasket.

When asked if the lack of preparation had negatively affected the team, Hendricks gave a firm response.

“No this has not disturbed us at all. Whatever happens, happens. What need to do is focus on what we can control,” said Hendricks.

Ahead of the battle against Rwanda, Hendricks says he and his teammates “can’t wait to get started”.

“You can expect a lot of energy. Hard work on defence and hustling. We are going to give a hundred per cent out there. We can’t wait to get this thing (U18 AfroBasket) started,” said Hendricks.

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He also pointed to an area of the game where he and his teammates can potentially benefit.

“Defence… We are an undersized team, so our defence has got to be what separates us from everyone else. So when we hustle on defence, when we don’t give up rebounds and make we sure we are the best defensive team, it can help us win this tournament,” said Hendricks.

Going into this tournament, Hendricks and his teammates will have wise heads leading them from the sidelines. He hailed the appointments of senior men’s national team coaches Florsheim Ngwenya and Craig Gilchrist for the continental mission.

“They are legends of South African basketball. It’s incredible for the team to work with them at this level. We get to learn from coaches who are as experienced as they are and have so much knowledge of the game,” said Hendricks.

The journey to the AfroBasket seems like an epic ride for this young South African team, while the challenges of preparation are glaring, Hendricks did not waver from his tone of confidence, delivering this message for his team.

“We need to keep our heads up. Block out the external noise. Work as hard as we can because I believe we got this,” concluded Hendricks.

South Africa is in Group C, alongside Morocco, Rwanda and Zambia.

To see fixtures click on the FIBA U18 AfroBasket link.

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Taukobong embraces leadership challenge ahead of AfroBasket

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(PRETORIA) It has not been the best preparation for host nation South Africa going into this year’s FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket. Still, team captain Reatlegile Taukobong is taking the situation in her stride.

The South African team was assembled last Wednesday, giving them little time to prepare for the tournament, which starts on Monday. But on Saturday night’s media day, Taukobong, an MVP of this year’s National Women’s Inter-Provincial Tournament, and her teammates were in high spirits ahead of the AfroBasket.

While they were upbeat during the photo sessions, Taukobong was aware of their situation and acknowledged the feeling of “anxiety” within the team.

“We are happy that we can organise the tournament, but there is a feeling of anxiety about our preparedness. We know teams like Egypt have been preparing for a long time. They have had their team for months,” said Taukobong. “On our side, I feel our coaches are doing their best to get us on par with everything… With the team bonding, the time has been limited… But we are getting there.”

Reatlegile Taukobong SA team captain — **Reatlegile Taukobong has to rally the South African team in the AfroBasket. Pictures: The BTO**

With the added pressure of hosting the best from the continent, ensuring that the South African team is a cohesive unit is paramount and that partly rests on Taukobong’s shoulders.

She says her teammates have made it easy for her by understanding the role they need to play for collective success.

“They are a special group of players. One of the biggest fears in the team was not being able to connect, but when we saw each other, we instantly bonded,” said Taukobong. “At the practices, everyone is pushing hard. As captain, I don’t need to do much because everyone knows what they have to do. They all know what time to wake up. I don’t need to tell them, ‘Do this, do that’.

“It’s been amazing. I love this team.”

South Africa opens their Group A campaign against Rwanda at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall – for the battle against the East Africans, Taukobong feels she and her teammates are for the task.

“One of the things we should all do is implement what we have been practising. Our camp was short, but we did not run in the sun for hours and hours for nothing. Also, our communication needs work, especially in defence. I feel like once we have that going then we will be good,” said Taukobong.

**Reatlegile Taukobong won the U18 Inter-Provincial Tournament with Gauteng and was the competition’s MVP.**

Asked what she would want to gain from the AfroBasket competition, Taukobong, a camper at Basketball Without Borders, says she hopes to excel in leadership.

“… Because I am captain (of the national team), I want to learn how it feels to lead a country. I am leading South Africa. At the end of the tournament, I am going to ask my coach how I did as captain. I want to know if I am a good enough leader,” said Taukobong. “Also, we are playing against other countries from the African continent is going to be great exposure and experience.”

Taukobong holds a positive outlook and she understands that this tournament is a learning curve for the South African team. Despite the troubled preparation she now has to rally her troops on the court to give the best version of themselves against the best on the African continent.

2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket fixtures:

1 pm: Tunisia vs Cameroon

3.30 pm: South Africa vs Rwanda

6 pm: Egypt vs Nigeria

8:30 pm: Zimbabwe vs Uganda

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Aboya answers call to serve young ballers and Indomitable Lions

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“YOU have to leave things before things leave you.” This was the philosophical answer of Cameroon-born coach Alfred Aboya when asked why he retired early in his professional playing career.

Aboya says his body took a pounding on the court, and after six years, he listened to it (his body) and decided to call it quits. Despite calling it a day as a player, the game still flowed in his veins, and coaching would be his next port of call. While learning the ropes of calling the shots from the sidelines, Aboya also decided to further his education.

“I have had a few knee surgeries – a total of six. So when your body gets beat down the way mine did, then you have to find other avenues,” said Aboya. “I tried different things. I decided to be a graduate assistant to get my Masters. During that time, I was figuring other things out.

“Those two years I worked to get my Masters and working as a graduate assistant, I found myself again. I got the calling. I was able to do that (coaching) at the college and moved to a G League team, Iowa Wolves.”

Alfred Aboya in Johannesburg — **Alfred Aboya says the NBA Academy has elevated youth basketball in Africa. Pictures: The BTO**

Following the G League stint, Aboya returned to the African continent, where he felt his knowledge would be of greater use to the youngsters at the Senegal-based NBA Academy.

“I felt my expertise would have a significant impact on the continent, so when the Academy called I moved back. I was also able to join the (Cameroon) national team as an assistant,” said the former UCLA Bruins player.

Aboya also highlighted the work of the Academy on the continent. “The Academy works with an exclusive group of kids. There are 54 countries in Africa, and its stronghold is the youth. So we can only select a few of them – and they are the best in their age group,” said Aboya.

“The one thing they bring to practice is their energy and a willingness to work. We impact kids here year in and year out – when other kids around the continent see that, it motivates them,” said Aboya. “Last year, we had Ulrich (Chomche) in the Academy – now he is in the NBA. I think that can only motivate his peers that are still there. It also validates the work that we do on the ground – being able to develop talent. And it’s talent that is able to leave the continent straight to the NBA. That is the most gratifying thing since I joined the Academy.”

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Still on grassroots, especially in Cameroon, Aboya is happy they are sending the men and women teams to the U18 AfroBasket in South Africa (September 1 – September 14). Aboya pointed out that Cameroon has been in the wilderness in youth competitions, and investing in the future has become crucial.

“For the longest time, Cameroon has not had junior under-18 teams. We have had athletes who left the country to make careers overseas,” said Aboya. “Youth development is important because kids develop friendships early. When they get to the seniors, they know each other. It (development) helps with the team’s cohesion.

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

While the juniors prepare for battle in South Africa, Aboya must prepare the senior men’s team for the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers in November.

Before speaking on the (AfroBasket) qualifiers, he reflected on the experience of their Latvia leg of the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT). Cameroon saw their valiant pursuit for a spot in the Olympics halted by the host nation in the semi-finals earlier in July.

“It was one thing to qualify for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and another to participate in it. The big lesson (from the Olympic qualifiers) was that we could compete with the so-called big basketball nations,” said Aboya, who was on a similar stage as a player ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games. “We competed against Georgia, which is 68th in the world, Montenegro (ranked 17th), Latvia (ranked 62nd) and Brazil, which is ranked 12th. And we beat them (Brazil) and lost to Montenegro by four, so we could hang with those countries.

“We belong. It is matter of going back and organising our basketball from the youth level. We must ensure the national team is enticing for our star players and that they find pride wearing that jersey.”

**Alfred Aboya has high hopes for Cameroon in the AfroBasket qualifiers. Picture: FIBA**

With the AfroBasket qualifiers around the corner, Aboya feels like all eyes will be on Cameroon, who are in Group C alongside Senegal, Rwanda and Gabon.

“Now that we have had a bit of success, other players will want to be part of the team. I’m sure we will have a bigger pool of players to work with. It will be a great problem for us,” said Aboya. “… I am looking forward to that (AfroBasket Qualifiers). It will be a hell of a competition. We saw what South Sudan has accomplished. And they have set the bar so high, first at the World Cup (in 2023) and recently at the Olympics.

“There are great teams at the qualifiers. I hope the actual tournament will be the same. I am trying to find adjectives to explain what kind of tournament we can expect… It will be a highly competitive tournament.”

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Davids talks CUCSA Games gold and hopes for her women’s team

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THESLINE Davids is one of South Africa’s most visible coaches on the sidelines. It shows up in her display of passion and celebration when a play she’s drawn out is executed to a tee by her players or a great defensive effort at the other end of the court.

While leading the national student women’s team to the 2024 CUCSA Games victory at the University of Pretoria (TUKS) the previous week, the Cape Town-born coach barely sat on the South African team bench, preferring to stand and eck her team as they marched from one victory to the next until the gold was secured.

Davids, who also coaches Tuks, says her energetic displays on the sidelines have been part of her DNA since she could play the game.

“I am a passionate coach. I played basketball. And because I love it so much, I celebrate every small or big thing we do on the court. What you saw at that tournament (CUCSA Games) was what I would do at a junior tournament. It’s all heart. And it means more when you do these things for your country,” said Davids.

“I am genuinely always locked in and showing my kids that I am with them every step of the way. When they take a charge, draw a foul or get a bucket, I celebrate that, but I am also hard on them. I also pick them up when they need a lift during games.”

The experienced coach continued: “That’s who I am. I am a passionate coach. I love my kids, basketball, and my country.”

Thesline Davids during a time out — **South African team coach Thesline Davids built her team into a cohesive unit. Pictures: The BTO**

The feeling of being a champion will take time to wear off on Davids, who listed a few adjectives to describe her jovial state. Winning the tournament at home also made it that extra special.

“It was emotional. I was happy. I was grateful and excited to see my kids achieve the goal. From the first camp, we set ourselves the goal of winning here at home. There is a certain feeling that you get when you play these competitions at home,” said Davids.

“Before, we were competing in Botswana, Zambia, or Malawi. So, this was the first time I got to coach a national team and have a home-court advantage. Also, going undefeated was massive for us. It spoke volumes about our commitment and heart. The kids put in a lot of work to get us over the finish line.”

What impressed Davids more about her team’s achievement was that despite most of them being rookies on the international stage, they acquitted themselves well.

“We have done exceptionally well given most of these girls have never played international basketball. I only had one player who played in AfroBasket qualifiers at the under-16 level in Botswana a few years ago,” said Davids.

“The rest of the players did not understand how this competition works. Playing at the CUCSAs meant so much because people could now see that kids who did not get these opportunities when they were younger compete and deliver for South Africa.”

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Talita Memani, crowned basketball tournament MVP, and national team captain Ulwethu Vacu, who earned All-Star honours, earned praise from Davids for contributing to the team’s success.

“Olwethu is the heart of the team. She drove us. It was awesome to finally get a chance to coach her rather than against her. She led by example. Whether it’s diving for the ball, fighting for a second possession or scoring a tough basket, she led by example. She made it easy for us because she is a great leader,” said Davids about the Vaal University of Technology point guard. “When she got the All-Star, I knew she would get it because she worked hard and everybody saw it. The number of bruises she had from the tournament when I last saw her showed what she was willing to do.”

Davids felt a sense of pride about the University of Western Cape centre Memani’s achievement as they both hail from the same city.

“Talita… I think she is just a special kid. I come from Cape Town. So, having her in the national team was a proud moment,” said the former University of Cape Town coach excitedly. “Seeing her footwork and her being in control of everything was incredible. She got double-doubles in every game and out-rebounded other bigs. She inspired the other post players to do better.”

CUCSA Games 2024 — **Thesline Davids was proud of the achievements of team South Africa captain Olwethu Vacu and Talita Memani during the 2024 CUCSA Games.**

The former Hershel Girls School coach felt bigs in the country are unappreciated and felt the tournament was the right platform to put their talents on a pedestal.

“This tournament was not about our guards. This tournament was about our post players. Also, remember here in South Africa, we do not respect our post players enough. So, I gave them a chance to show what they can do,” said Davids. “Her (Memani) backups like Chi (Eneanya), Nyeleti (Nyathi) and Umtha (Sibam) made a difference when they came in. Yeah, but Talita was the fire in the team… It was awesome to coach her.”

The future is bright for this group of players, says Davids. She hopes there will be exposure to more opportunity in the coming year.

“I hope this encourages people to see that more competition is needed for the national team. I hope we can get to the World Student Games in Germany next year,” said Davids. “If we expose these kids to more basketball, they can only get better. Most of the players are under the age of 23… So they have a lot years to give to us. They have put in the work. Hopefully, they will continue to inspire the next generation to do the same.”

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Matsie, Kweyama focus on big picture ahead of CUCSA Games

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TSHEPO Matsie and Thanda Kweyama usually sit at opposing ends of benches during basketball games. Still, for the next couple of days, the two men will work hand in hand to plot South Africa’s success in the 2024 CUCSA Games starting on Monday in the country’s capital, Tshwane.

Matsie, head coach of the Tshwane University Technology (TUT) men’s team and Kweyama, who sits at the helm of rivals University Pretoria, have fought many battles against each other on the court.

But on Sunday after a scrimmage game against Egoli Magic at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall, both men sang from the same hymn sheet about the national cause being a priority. National team head coach Matsie says he and his assistant Kweyama have a friendship off the court.

“We both understand what is required… Despite the basketball stuff, he and I (Kweyama) are actually good friends off the court. Apart from that, USSA has appointed us to lead the team, so things like rivalry must be put aside. Right now the focus is to represent the country to the best of our abilities,” said Matsie.

**Tshepo Matsie will rely on the experienced heads of his team for this year’s CUCSA Games. Pictures: The BTO**

Kweyama noted that while the coaches are from opposing institutions – it is the same for the players. He also pointed out that they are learning from each other.

“We are working towards a common goal, so there is no clash of egos… Like ‘You beat me or I beat you this many times’. There is a common goal,” said Kweyama. “Also, most of the guys here are from rival schools, so it’s a good learning experience and where we get to share ideas and impart wisdom.”

Kweyama, a former TUT student and Pretoria Boys High School pupil will be experiencing his first taste of international basketball. He described getting the opportunity as a “dream come true”.

“It’s a dream come true. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue, so when you quietly and eagerly wait, these opportunities will come at the right time. So this is exciting for me,” said Kweyama.

“This is a learning process and I am getting used to the requirements at this level. So, this is also a humbling moment.

Matsie, while a first-time head coach, has had experience at the international level. The former Tshwane Suns player was an assistant to Mandla Ngema during the FISU World Student Games in China last year.

South African team assistant coach Thanda Kweyama — **South African assistant coach Thanda Kweyama is excited to coach the CUCSA Games.**

The two-time BNL champion says the Games in China were an eye-opener for him and gave him important insights on where South Africa needs to focus on, in its development curve.

“The level of basketball played around the world is different. Knowing what the international standards look like was great and when we returned home, we knew the adjustments we needed to make,” said Matsie.

“If you looked at the game we played (against the Magic), the intensity was high, meaning we can play at this level. It’s also good we have players who have competed at that level (FISU Games) returning to the team. We need that experience and it’s a big plus for us.”

Basketball in South Africa has been experiencing somewhat of a revival. Having hosted one leg of the Basketball Africa League and with the U18 AfroBasket for men and women coming to the country in a couple of months, it is clear that basketball in South Africa will be the big winner.

“This is huge for us. I think we are at a point where basketball is growing in the country. Hosting these kinds of tournaments will give confidence to players who play and those that aspire to play the game. They will see that there is an outlet for them,” said Matsie. “We are hosting the CUCSA Games now. Soon we will be hosting the U18 AfroBasket. From a basketball perspective in our country, we need this.”

The last word went to Kweyama. “It’s exciting times. I wish this happened every other year. People have the opportunity to see the value of the sport. If we can build on this momentum then we can have more people invest in basketball in the country,” concluded Kweyama.

Today’s games:

Women: South Africa vs Malawi at 6 pm (South Africa time)

Men: South Africa vs Zimbabwe at 8 pm (South Africa time)

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Indomitable Lions will bring their physicality to Olympic qualifiers

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CAMEROON could have the element of surprise on their side when they begin their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament journey in Riga, Latvia (2-7 July). The Indomitable Lions, an unknown quantity, surprised many by getting this far, but can they go further in this year’s qualifiers?

Team Profile: Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions will be regarded by many, including their opponents and neutrals, as the underdogs of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT). But this crop of Cameroon players will be unbothered by the tag of underdogs as they vie for a ticket to the Paris Games (26 July – 11 August).

It will be Cameroon’s second attempt at qualifying for the Games after having a dismal campaign in 2008 OQT, where the Lions could not win a single fixture.

Jeremiah Hill of Cameroon — **Cameroon’s star player Jeremiah Hill will be expected to raise the bar in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Pictures: FIBA**

Star Players: Cameroon will lean on the talent of naturalised point guard Jeremiah Hill, who helped the Central African nation secure their ticket in the pre-qualifiers in Nigeria last year.

Hill’s 18 points per game, three rebounds per game and 9.3 assists helped contribute to Cameroon’s unbeaten run in the pre-Olympic Qualifiers. In a recent interview with FIBA Africa, Hill said the Lions will bring their “own African style” in the qualifiers.

“It will be hard… But they are players like we are players. We will bring our own African style. We are going to have to be physical. I think that will be our biggest advantage. Hopefully, it will go well,” said Hill.

Another key player for Cameroon is Jordan Bayehe of the Italian club New Basket Brindisi, who made his presence felt for the Lions with 13.8 points per game, eight rebounds per game and 1.5 assists per game in the qualifiers.

Samir Gbetkom became a key contributor to the Lions during the pre-Olympic qualifiers with 11.5 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game. Gbetkom, who plays in the French Pro-B, has made a huge leap for Cameroon since playing in the 2021 AfroBasket and 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Coach: Alfred Aboya, a former national team player, will remember the disappointing campaign of 2008. Having helped Cameroon successfully navigate the pre-qualifier hurdle, Aboya could see these Olympic Qualifying tournaments as his shot at making amends for missing out on the Games 16 years ago.

Alfred Aboya coaching Cameroon — **Cameroon coach Alfred Aboya is familiar with the Olympic Qualifying Tournament terrain.**

Group B Match-Ups: Cameroon will face a strong Montenegro team in their opening group game and South American juggernaut Brazil, two-time World Cup winners.

The Cameroonians will have received a significant confidence boost going into the qualifiers after defeating Egypt and Georgia in friendly games. But the true test of Cameroon’s character will be in their two Group B Games.

Outlook: It would be much easier to write off the chances of Cameroon in the upcoming qualifiers because of their lack of experience, and even if their task looks impossible, this group got this far by doing the impossible.

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Can Angola end their 16 year Olympic Games absence?

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WE share insights on Angola’s chances at the upcoming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (2-7 July). The qualifiers will take place in four cities (San Juan, Puerto Rico; Riga, Latvia; Valencia, Spain and Pireuas, Greece).

Team Profile: Angola

Angola used to be the epitome of success in African basketball. The 11-time African champions regularly participate in global competitions like the FIBA World Cup, but the Olympic Games have become a different story.

Africa’s most decorated team last graced the Games 16 years ago (2008) and will try to end the dry spell when they begin their Olympic Qualifying Tournament campaign in Spain, which serves as the qualifiers for this year’s Game in Paris (26 July and 11 August).

Jilson Bango playing for Angola — **Jilson Bango was a star performer for Angola in the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers. Pictures: FIBA**

Star players: The Angolans certainly do not lack in the talent department. With a strong contingent of internationally based players, Angola can lean on the likes of NBA player Bruno Fernando, Greece-based Silvio de Sousa and Jilson Bango, who plays his basketball in Germany.

Bango was in impeccable form during the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers – averaging 18 points and 7.7 rebounds in Angola’s first three matches. The Angolans will rely on the forward to bring the same form with him to Spain.

De Sousa and Atlanta Hawks player Fernando had solid performances in last year’s World Cup and will provide Angola with muscle in the paint.

Of the local contingent, the trio of Childe Dundao, Gerson Goncalves and Abubaker Gakou, who were part of the Petro de Luanda team that won BAL Season 4, will give Angola an added shot in the arm following Petro’s continental triumph.

Dundao, a star performer for Angola at the FIBA World Cup (14 points and 5.2 assists), has been a model of consistency for the national team. The pint-sized floor general’s 15 points per game and 6.7 assists per game in the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers is a testament to him being an asset to Angola.

Childe Dundao in action for Angola — **Childe Dundao has been consistent for Angola in international competition.**

Group A Match-Ups: Angola will take on two-time FIBA World Cup champions, three-time European champions and Olympic Qualifiers host Spain and Middle East nation Lebanon.

Angola will likely struggle against the highly successful Spanish team and fancy their chances against the Lebanese.

Outlook: The Southern Africans will most likely get past the group stage of the qualifiers. But Angola will struggle in the knock-out phases as they will face strong competition from any opponent that makes it out of the Group B leg in Valencia.

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Time for Cele and Sibanyoni to make the most of their careers

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SAMKELO Cele and Nkosinathi Sibanyoni have established themselves as basketball stars in South Africa and Africa. The Cape Town Tigers duo have had an exceptional BAL Season 4 – especially from a statistical perspective.

Small forward Cele, who attended college in the US, plays with enthusiasm and energy on the court. He also exudes confidence and is not afraid of the big moment. In the quarter-final of Africa’s premier club competition against FUS Rabat, the tenacious Cele took it upon himself to make a contested buzzer-beater three. This sent the game to overtime, where the Tigers eventually won.

His boisterous celebrations after every highlight reel dunk or shot made with a degree of difficulty make Cele one of a kind in the South African game.

Samkelo Cele in action for the Tigers — **Samkelo Cele made it to the All-BAL Team and All-BAL Defensive Team this year. Pictures: FIBA and BAL**

Cele, one of two All-Americans from South Africa, has seen increases in some of his production this season compared to last year’s BAL. His points per game jumped from 13.5 to 21. His assists per game went slightly up from 2.5 to 2.7, while his steals per game shifted from 2.2 steals to 2.4. He also returned to the All-BAL Defensive team and debuted in the All-BAL First team.

Power forward, Sibanyoni is the polar opposite of Cele’s on-court persona, in that he quietly goes about his grind. Last season, with Rasheed Hazzard at the helm, Sibanyoni suffered a dip in minutes (9.4) and production (2.2 points per game and two rebounds). It comes against the backdrop of the 26-year-old, averaging 21.7 minutes per game, 4.6 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game in his BAL debut (in 2022).

Under Florsheim Ngwenya this year, Sibanyoni has thrived, posting 30.9 minutes per game, 9.4 points per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game and 0.8 blocks per game.

But, the one aspect of his game – which saw a dramatic increase – is his rebounding, his strongest asset. The 2.08m big man, who ranked second behind South Sudan prodigy Khaman Malauch in crashing boards, averaged 12.4 rebounds per game. Sibanyoni also owns the BAL rebounding record after grabbing 25 boards vs FUS Rabat in the quarter-finals.

Part of the reason Cele and Sibanyoni had a successful BAL Season 4, especially in the playoffs, was the inclusion of point guard Dhieu Deing and big man Abdoulaye Ndoye. South Sudanese player – Deing, along with Cartier Diarra, took some of the scoring load and playmaking pressure off the shoulders of Cele. Ndoye provided rim protection and shot-blocking at the centre position, which allowed Sibanyoni to play his role at the four.

Nkosinathi Sibanyoni of the Tigers — **Nkosinathi Sibanyoni was ranked number 2 in rebounding in Season 4 of the BAL.**

The duo have had a career season for the Tigers and are still in the prime of their playing careers. Could it be time for the duo to expand their horizons beyond South Africa? Both players have spoken about this desire at different stages. Recently, Cele told Newzroom Afrika about his ongoing wish and dream to play in the NBA. But at 26, is there a market for his services in the elite league, or does Cele see himself playing in another league?

In Season 3 of the BAL, Sibanyoni told The Big Tip Off he wants to play outside of South Africa. “I have seen how guys play in other parts of the world, and I believe I have the potential to get where I want to be. It’s a matter of working on my game more and being able to advertise my ability,” said Sibanyoni. “In the next two to five years, I would like to see myself play in different countries and learn from other coaches and players. That way, I will mature as a player.”

In the troubled context of South African basketball, Sibanyoni and Cele have exceeded expectations. Given their career aspirations and exploits in the recently concluded BAL, both players are perfectly positioned to explore playing opportunities outside the country. Hopefully, with the right representation and advice, teams from lucrative leagues in Africa or elsewhere will line up for their services. It would be a just reward for their talents.

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Ngwenya reflects on amazing playoff run with Tigers

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FLORSHEIM Ngwenya is all about basketball. Even on his day off during the BAL playoffs, he was more preoccupied with the game than taking in some of Kigali’s sights and sounds.

The Cape Town Tigers have had days off between their quarter-final victory over FUS Rabat and their semi-final loss to Petro de Luanda. After those two gruelling overtime games, you would think Ngwenya, the Tigers’ coach, would have a moment for a breather. And you would be mistaken. Ngwenya, the South African national team coach, described himself as a “gym rat who likes everything to do with basketball. He believes the slightest of distractions can bring about bad luck.

“I stay focused because I am a bit superstitious. I don’t want to get out there being all over the show and forget what is important. If there is a free day, we will be together as a team and maybe go to the museum and stuff like that,” said Ngwenya. “… But I mostly like to dig in and watch games. I am what you call a gym rat. I love the gym and basketball. Another thing I do is dig up old videos of teams out here and see how they play.

“I have also engaged with other coaches here (at the BAL). I want to learn from them and see what they do well. When I am here I keep it as basketball-focused as possible, but I have done the odd sight seeing here and there.”

Florsheim Ngwenya at the BAL — **Florsheim Ngwenya says the semi-final run of the Tigers ranks among his top achievements. Pictures: The BTO**

Despite falling short in the semi-finals, Ngwenya’s focus and graft during those rest days have paid off for the Tigers. Ahead of the Hoopers game on Friday, Ngwenya, an assistant to Rasheed Hazzard in last year’s tournament, spoke on leading the team this year.

“I think it’s a lesson for a lot of young coaches and it is if you get a chance you can achieve. Your background should not count against you. If you are qualified and can do the job, especially as a local coach, why not get the job and showcase your skills at the international level?” asked Ngwenya. “It’s just a testament to the saying ‘hard work pays off’. So, teams should try and invest in their local coaches. There is a lot of talent within that pool of coaches out there and they need to be given an opportunity to show what they can do on stages like this. Or whichever stage you need somebody to back you.”

Ngwenya reflected on how the Tigers have grown since their first BAL tournament and in these playoffs, especially in battles against FUS and Petro. “Those overtime games showed us, firstly, the maturity of the team and second, the togetherness, which spoke volumes about who we are.

“It’s a sense of brotherhood that has developed and has become a never-give-up attitude on the court. In the quarter-final game (against FUS) – we could have won in regulation time, but we let ourselves down with a couple of errors. But we kept on fighting and eventually won the game.”

The Tigers coach turned to Wednesday’s game against Petro: “Last night’s game we did not play as well as we should have, but we still managed to fight. We showed resilience and grit to take the game to overtime. Even then, we fought, but we had a poor shooting night. We shot around 20 or 21 per cent from the three-point line, and I think we missed 16 free throws. Those little things built up, but I must commend our fight and resilience.”

One of the stand-out features of the playoffs was the superb performances of Samkelo Cele and Nkosinathi Sibanyoni. Power forward Sibanyoni has averaged a double-double in games against FUS and Petro, while Cele continued his impressive scoring feats (30 points against FUS and 19 points against Petro).

Ngwenya is proud of the South African superstar duo as both players have enhanced their reputations on the continent.

“I’m so proud of those guys. Very proud. They really work hard and push themselves to the limit. They also want to achieve more. These guys are an example for young South African players out there. They see what they (Sibanyoni and Cele) are doing on this stage and will want aspire to be like them or even be better than them,” said Ngwenya.

“It sits well with me that two South African kids are doing well. Also they are being spoken about in that manner (as superstars). It also shows there is a lot of talent in our country. We have to make sure that we take care of it… Ensure they get perform on such stages,” said Ngwenya.

On a personal level, what does getting this far (to the semi-final) mean for Ngwenya? “It’s right up there. I can’t downplay it. After the game against Hoopers, we will see where it stands in my list of achievements. But it is right up there. There is no question about it,” concluded Ngwenya.

The Tigers eventually finished fourth, losing to the Hoopers on Friday night. But Ngwenya and the Tigers will surely return home with a redeemed sense of pride, knowing they could hang with the best on the continent.

Ngwenya reflects on amazing playoff run with Tigers Read More »

Diarra and Tigers find a new swag ahead of Petro battle

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THE Cape Tigers Town have not let their wild card qualification for BAL playoffs go to waste. The South African team has gone on a mini-dream run in Kigali and they look like a team that has risen from the rubble of a forgettable Kalahari Conference two months ago.

After their seeding game loss to Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi, it would have been easy to count out the Tigers from being BAL title contenders. Instead, the Tigers continue to be the authors of their own story. They grappled and ground out a (91-88) victory over FUS Rabat, a team that clinically dealt with them in two Kalahari Conference battles.

Today (Wednesday), another Kalahari Conference adversary, Petro de Luanda lies in wait. And with Tigers having discovered their roar, this semi-final duel should be one for the ages.

Cartier Diarra in action — **Cartier Diarra will lead the Tigers’ charge against Petro in the BAL semi-finals tonight. Picture: The BTO**

Before speaking on the clash against Petro, a hopeful Tigers captain, Cartier Diarra, felt they should have beaten FUS by a wider margin, given how they stifled the Moroccans.

“When I look back at the game against FUS, we should have at least won by 15 points. We missed free throws, lost a ten-point lead with two minutes left, and it was not a great shooting night for us. But we still got the win. It was a show of effort and determination to win,” said Diarra, who has Malian roots. “Of course, Nathi (Nkosinathi Sibanyoni) had 14 offensive rebounds, which allowed us to get second-chance points. That is why I feel hopeful. Also, we look at this journey as the right pathway for us to get revenge on the teams that beat us in Pretoria (where the Kalahari Conference took place). Now we will play Petro. They beat us once, and we beat them, so this is the tie-breaker.”

The Tigers had five players scoring in double digits against FUS. Nkosinathi Sibanyoni, who crashed a record 25 boards in that game, scored 16 points. Samkelo Cele, who dropped a three-point buzzer-beater that sent the game into overtime, had a massive 30 points. South Sudanese duo Ngor Mayang (13) and Dhieu Deing (12) also made solid contributions.

Diarra, who scored 15 points and had eight assists, says Sibanyoni got them going against FUS. He also recalled how Cele’s heroics kept them alive.

“It started with Nathi. I have already spoken about what rebounding did for us. He was running in transition and forcing people to guard him, which put our shooters in a position to get open looks. So he was our focal point,” said Diarra. “Sam is always ultra-aggressive going to the basket, whether you foul him or not. He hit that big shot with seconds left. It was either him or me taking that shot. When he got the ball, I knew he would make the shot.

“The way he shoots is so amazing. He has a high release, which is difficult to block. He did a double clutch pump – he said it felt so good he wanted to turn around. We are just happy he got the shot.”

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Diarra and the Tigers have had two extra days after their exploits on Sunday. They look forward to taking on a Petro team that overcame a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit against Senegal’s AS Douanes on Monday.

It must be said, that the Angolans have looked shaky from the beginning of the Kalahari Conference, and the Tigers would be justified in fancying themselves to win the game.

Also, it would be safe to say the Tigers and Petro are evenly matched ahead of their semi-final clash, but Diarra disagrees.

“I don’t believe we are evenly matched. I think we have better guards and bigs. They play well in their system because they have been together for a long time. However, I think we have the advantage,” said Diarra.

“I know (Childe) Dundao will be guarding me. I feel like he is too small. That’s how we won the last time, with me being aggressive on him and putting him in tight situations – it forced their bigs to help. Samkelo also played great defence on Carlos (Morais) last time, holding him scoreless. We need him to do that again.”

Diarra intimated further on the advantages the Tigers have over their last four opponents: “I know they added Nick (Faust), who scored 13 last night. We need to stop him from having that run. If we minimise their ability to get threes and force them to go for layups, a big like AB (Abdoulaye Ndoye) will be able to stop them because of his length. He had five blocks in the last game. I feel like we have the advantage. All we have to do is execute and do what we do best.”

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Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla