Burundi, Tanzania open Zone 5 AfroCan Qualifiers with wins

DAR ES SALAAM (Tanzania) – Tanzania and Burundi kicked start their FIBA AfroCan Zone 5 Qualifiers campaigns with wins against South Sudan and Eritrea at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar Es Salaam on Saturday.

Burundian outplayed South Sudan 57-42 while host nation Tanzania easily paved their way to a 64-39 triumph against Eritrea.

The upset of the day came from Burundi, who outlasted South Sudan in what was a remake of a 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Preliminary Phase clash.

The last time the two teams met goes back to January 2020 when South Sudan claimed an easy 100-59 victory over their opponents.

But this time, Burundi have turned the tables around.

Though South Sudan led through the first quarter, Burundi made it a point of honor to nibble at their opponent’s advantage, point by point.

So much so that they found themselves only four points behind South Sudan at half-time. It was then that the magic happened.

Powered by Landry Ndikumana and Landry Akimana, who accounted for 15 and 10 points respectively, along with 7 rebounds each, plus 3 assists and 5 steals for the former, Burundi picked the game into their hands.

With a 15-8 run, Burundi had a three-point lead (37-34) by the end of the third quarter.

Heading into the final stretch with the three-point lead, Burundi kept their opponents at bay with a 20-8 run. It was more than enough for them as they kept the momentum close out the game with the 57-42 victory.

TANZANIA CONFIRM AMBITIONS

Tanzania also had a flying start in front of their home fans.

Led by Andrew Musongole (15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals) and Sadiki Athumani Baraka (11 points and 5 rebounds), the hosts did not miss the rendez-vous they had set up with Eritrea (69-34).

Taking the game in their hands from the tip-off, they inflicted a severe 11-4 in the first round. But Eritrea fought back and gave them a good run in the second quarter, even though they were still lagging by 11 points at half-time (29-18).

Upon returning to the court from half-time, they definitely silenced their opponents with two straight run (22-8, 18-8), which were more than enough to satisfy coach Mohammed Mbwana and the local fans.

Only Aron Tesfazghi had enough drive to charge for Eritrea. He finished the game with 10 points to his credit, while grabbing 9 boards during the game. Haile Yafet was, however, the game’s top rebounder with 11 boards from both sides of the court.

Day 2 of the FIBA AfroCan Zone 5 Qualifiers promise to be as exciting as Day 1 as Rwanda enter the arena to face Eritrea, while Burundi and Tanzania will clash for a second victory in a row.

FIBA