LUSAKA (Zambia) - In recent Road to BAL Qualifiers, Matero Magic struggled to be a competitive club.
They would get a sniff at the Elite 16 and not go any further.
However, in this year's 2025 Road to BAL campaign, the Magic were ruthless in the preliminary phase, leaving Harare, Zimbabwe, with a respectable 5-0 record.
FIBA.Basketball profiles Zambia's most successful team.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ROAD TO BAL
The Tamanga Boys progressed to their third Road to BAL after winning the domestic championship known as Zambian Basketball League.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ELITE 16
On their way to qualifying for the Elite 16 with a 5-0 record, Matero beat Mozambique's Costa do Sol, Malawian side Bravehearts, South Sudanese champions Fox Basketball, Basket Hounds of Zimbabwe and Botswana Defence Force.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE GROUP PHASE OF THE ROAD TO BAL
Saul Phiri, in his second stint with Matero, was exceptional in the Group Phase held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The skilled guard gave Matero 22 points and three rebounds in the final game against Botswana Defence Force V.
Chono Chonga, 33, had a strong presence on the court. He is a good rebounder and scorer for the Magic. His production for the Zambian club Harare contributed massively to their 5-0 record.
Elijah Mukelabai has been part of three Road to BAL campaigns for Matero Magic and his play improved in this year's qualifiers. His 30 points against Basket Hounds and 15 versus Botswana Defence Force showed that Mukelabai can be an asset in attack.
HEAD COACH
Manuel da Silva 'Gi' has transformed Matero into a formidable club, which showed in the group phase.
His coaching record includes leading Angola to the U16 AfroBasket title in 2013 in Madagascar and U18 AfroBasket held in Kigali, Rwanda.
'Gi' as he is popularly known in his native Angola, coached his country's men's team at 2017 FIBA AfroBasket where they finished 7th.
The former Petro Atletico player will lead Matero to the East Division Elite 16 to qualify the Zambian club for their first BAL.
BAL HISTORY
Matero has yet to qualify for the BAL although they featured in the Road to BAL twice before without making it to the Elite 16.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER REPRESENTING THE CLUB
Chona represented Zambia in the 2017 and 2021 AfroBasket preliminary and AfroCan qualifiers (2019 and 2023).
TEAM'S YEAR OF CREATION AND OWNERSHIP
The Magic was founded in 1996 and won their first domestic title in 2004, and they have won 10 more titles. They are a community club, and Malindi Chipili serves as club president.
WHERE DO THEY PLAY THEIR HOME GAMES
The Tamanga Boys play their games at the National Development Sports Centre in the Zambia capital, Lusaka.
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