DOUALA (Cameroon) - Tipped as favourite to move on to the next round, KSA and Chaux Sports lived up to expectation on the opening day of the West Division C in Douala, Cameroon.
Little was known about the four Road to BAL debutant sides, but when things got underway it became clear what Kadji Sport Academy, Chaux Sports, Abeilles Clubs and Moanda Basket are made of.
I played everywhere - USA and Europe - but now I want to have a taste of the competition in Africa and help develop these types of competitions - Kenneth Kadji
And here's what we learned from Gameday-1 in Douala.
Ruthless KSA outclass Moanda
There was never a question as to who the favourite side to come up on top would be as hosts Kadji Sport Academy (KSA) ruled the fame from the jumping-ball to the final buzzer to beat Moanda Basket 69-54.
Simon Bileg II led the Cameroonians champions with 12 points. He was followed by Jean Paul Njiki and Bertrand Sockmack who contributed 10 and 11 points, respectively.
Although KSA struggled to stop Herman Igouwe who finished with a game-high 22 points off the bench, and Omar Siby dominated the boards with 14 rebounds, the hosts did enough to close the opening day out with an important win.
Igouwe had a 9-for-17 shooting, finishing as the only Moanda player in double digits, but the Gabonese side caused little or no damage to KSA.
Speaking to FIBA.basketball, KSA founder-player Kenneth Kadji, who contributed 4 points and 3 rebounds off the bench, reflected on his new contribution to the team and game.
"It feels great. It's a big accomplishment to be playing for my own team in such a big competition. I am a player and I am trying to focus as much as I can on how to help the team and what my role is. It's a good feeling," said the former University of Miami star.
Kadji continued: "What motivated me to join the team (KSA) was that I wanted to put an imprint on the African continent. I played everywhere - USA and Europe - but now I want to have a taste of the competition in Africa and help develop these types of competitions.
KSA returns to action on Monday, taking on Equatorial Guinea's King Africa BC, while Moanda Basket takes on Abeilles Basket.
Nyembo inspires Chaux Sport in win over Abeilles
Franck Nyembo did a bit of everything to help DR Congo's champions Chaux Sport overcome Abeilles Basket in the second game of Group C.
The 18-year-old Nyembo was a rebound shy of a double, having contributed 13 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals as Chaux Sport prevailed 79-61.
Former Rwanda Energy Group's bigman Pitchou Manga contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds in the winning cause, and his teammate Etienne Toko added 14 points.
Chaux Sport trailed 24-21 in the opening quarter, but a 23-6 scoring run in the second quarter turned out the game-changer as they led 44-30 at the break.
Former Bangui Sporting Club guard Yasser Kamayengue finished with a game-high of 16 points, Breezy Bemokolo added 15, but the Central African Republic champions lacked support from its bench who contributed just 5 points against Chaux's 33.
FIBA