Can BC Virunga become the second Congolese team to reach the BAL?

 

YAOUNDE (Cameroon)—Thunder is often said not to strike twice in one place according to an African adage but it has for DR Congo's BC Virunga.

This is courtesy of the wild card awarded to the team for the West Division Elite 16 by FIBA Africa. The decisive qualifier round is scheduled for Yaounde, Cameroon from 31 October until 5 November.

Now that BC Virunga are set to extend their international season, the inevitable question is "Can BC Virunga make history in the Elite 16?"

BC Virunga came up short against FAP (65-61) in their Group B opener, but they forced the Cameroonian champions to step up

In their first international appearance, BC Virunga will attempt to become the second DR Congo team - after Espoir Fukash - to qualify for the prestigious Final Round of the BAL.

However, to achieve that goal, they must conquer a very familiar face in Group B: Forces Armees et Police of Cameroon, a team they had fallen to earlier in the qualifier.

The team can count its blessings as they return to familiar grounds where they finished on high in their last game recording a 79-76 win over Espoir BBC on the last day of Group B to place third on the table with 1-2 record.

BC Virunga entered their final Group B game against Espoir Basket with their backs against the wall. Another loss would have ended their Elite 16 dream

That win provided them passage and they would need to prove that they have improved to merit a spot.

Although the DR Congo champions lost to FAP and Bangui Sporting Club, they return to Yaounde to join seven other teams for a chance to secure one of the three tickets on offer for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 4.

If one is to gauge the pulse of Goma-based BC Virunga Peter Mulolwa, who is the head of the technical staff, all that will be on his mind is how to rank among the best three teams that will head to the BAL regular season.

The task is tough for BC Virunga when one considers the pedigree of the other teams in Group B of the West Division Elite 16.

A motivated and determined play may do the magic when they confront Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya) that have recruited massively, Stade Malien (Mali) and co-hosts FAP.

Jonathan Nzamba averaged a team-high of 16.7 points in three Group B games

Jonathan Monze Nzamba and Arsene Mwana Mwamba - the only two BC Virunga players to average ten points or more each, will all need to step up their performances to help their team make progress.

Each team will play the other three teams in their group, and the teams that finish in the top-two places of the group will advance to the Second Round to compete in the Semi-Finals, Final and Third-Place Game of each Division.

The winners of the Semi-Finals and winners of the Third-Place Games will qualify to the fourth edition of the BAL.

FIBA