There has been a widely held belief that the race for this year’s Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championship is among four teams.
Reigning champions City Oilers, compatriots Betway Power as well as KPA and Patriots. That was vindicated on Thursday evening after Betway Power became the last team to book their semifinal slot at the tournament being played at the Lugogo Arena. The 84-44 victory over Ethiopia’s Hawassa set up a semifinal clash against Rwandan side Patriots.
Meanwhile, reigning champions City Oilers and KPA also completed their end of the bargain for the other last four game. Betway Power will feel optimistic about their chances as they come into the game as one of two unbeaten teams left. Like the three of the four games the have played thus far, they were dominant from start to finish. Power made a 21-12 first quarter start stretching it to 45-14 at the halfway point.
By that time coach Arnold "Mchuda" Lando had given most of his starting five a breather ahead of what should be a tight contest against Patriots. Michael Makiadi led with 17 points while Paul Odong added 14 including 4 for 8 from three-point range. They then eased off in the final two periods before the 84-44 result. Patriots progressed with 68-50 win over Tanzania’s ABC but will be tough opponents as evidenced in matching holders City Oilers for long periods in a 77-73 first round loss.
The women's action promises to be equally exciting with unbeaten UCU Lady Canons and Kenya's Equity facing off while KCCA Leopards engage champions KPA. The loser of the latter game will be out of contention for the title ahead of Saturday's final day that will see the Ugandan Sides Kenyan
teams clash against each other. Both KCCA and KPA have already lost a game to Equity and UCU in the seven team women's completion that is being played on a round robin format.