NBL giants target scalps

Dar es Salaam. The National Basketball League (NBL) enters the fourth day with five matches on the cards at the National Indoor Stadium.

The former champions, ABC, who outsmarted Vijana “City Bulls” in a dramatic 65-63 victory on Saturday, take on Kurasini Heat this morning.

ABC, boasting an array of experienced players including Filbert Mwaipungu, Gilbert Batungi and Salum Mchemba head into the match carrying the favourites tag, but will have to watch against marauding youthful Kurasini Heat guards.

Basketball enthusiasts will also witness stubborn Chui aiming claws at Chang’ombe United while bruised Vijana will be hoping to bounce back at the expense of Oilers. Savio, who have already staked a claim on the title defence, will take on Mabibo Bullets with the odds being heavily stacked against the latter.

In the women’s league, Don Bosco Lioness square up with Tanzania Prisons.

Leonard Kwale, the ABC coach, voiced his optimism that his boys will be all out trying to build the lead in Group B.

“Our victory over Vijana says everything about us. We want to regain our pride as the national champions,” said Kwale after Saturday’s game. “Vijana are a giant club with a rich pedigree in the country, so our victory over them is a clear message to our next opponents (Kurasini Heat).”

However, Kurasini Heat coach Gerald Baru is unfazed by ABC mind games, hoping to do the basics to win the game.

“We have trained for a long time and ABC’s mind games will not unsettle us. It is going to be a tough match, but we are ready for the challenge and hopefully, we will carry the day,” he said.

The Savio-Mabibo Bullets match, which will start at 4pm, will be another enthralling game to watch. Mabibo Bullets head into the match as underdogs, but a section of pundits hope that they will give the reigning champions a run for their money.

Savio head coach Dassy Makula exuded confident that they will build on a 68-59 win over Pazi when they clash with the Bullets this evening. “There is an air of expectation here especially after the opening win. Beating Pazi is not easy, but we managed to outclass them, so I am optimistic that the lads will carry the same spirit against Mabibo Bullets,” Makula said.

On Saturday, Savio dictated proceedings from the outset and forced Pazi to employ a defensive strategy for long spells of the game. Mohamed Yusuf, Ally Mnyamani and Jije Makani had a stupendous combination throughout the game, leaving Pazi players walk off the court heads down after the final whistle.