ZANZIBAR (Tanzania) - Win or go home will be the order on Thursday, 31 October as eight teams battle for Semis slots at the ongoing Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 Qualifiers.
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After four days of action in the Group Phase, Al Ahly Sporting Club topped Group A, finishing ahead of JKL Lady Dolphins with Vijana Queens and Young Sisters third and fourth respectively.
In Group B, star-studded APR beat holders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to finish top with Hawassa City placing third in the three-team Group.
Reigning Zone 5 silver medalists Rwanda Energy Group (REG) had a perfect run in Group C that had Equity Bank Hawks, Gladiators and Fox Divas finish in that order.
Al Ahly SC favourites against Vijana Queens
Egypt's Al Ahly SC topped the charts on points aggregate which was the agreed upon format of ranking the top eight sides and will take on Tanzania champions Vijana Queens in the Last Eight.
This is a repeat of a Group Phase encounter that the Tarek Abouzeid-led side won 145-52 to get their so far unbeaten run going.
Coach Ismail Mbise's side, who make it to the Quarters as one of two third best finishers, have their work cut out in trying to overturn such a result.
APR a herculean test for Gladiators
All things considered, Burundi's Gladiators have little chance against the Italee Lucas and Kamba Diakite-powered APR, the Rwandese reigning champions.
Gladiators won one game in the Group Phase against Tanzania's Fox Divas, falling to both REG and Equity to finish seventh in the aggregate rankings. APR on their part remain unbeaten, having won convincingly against holders KPA and Hawassa City.
Lucas, Diakite and Shaina Pellington have been APR top performers with Chanel Mokanga second on the rebounding charts for the Charles Mushumba-coached champions.
The Burundians charge will be led by Francine Mukendi Tshimanga who has been a joy to watch, staring in all matches for the sie.
JKL test for REG
They finished second to KPA in the last Qualifiers and went all the way to the semis in the 2023 AWBL, but as Rwanda Energy Group (REG) take on Uganda's JKL Lady Dolphins, it will be no walk in the park.
The Ugandan side won two matches in the Group Phase, beating Young Sisters of Burundi despite having no technical bench or substitutes. They followed it up with another victory against Vijana Queens, with just nine players. The going was, however, tough against Al Ahly Sporting as JKL lost 100-61.
Julian Martinez-led REG have remained perfect in the Group Phase, their charge led by Destiney Promise Philoxy and Victoria Reynolds with Kristina Morgan King and Mercy Wanyama leading the defensive charts.
While Martinez is expected to rely on this quartet, Keren Becky Longom who has leads JKL charts despite missing the opening match will be one to watch. Brenda Ekone and Rita Imanishimwe will also be expected to push the numbers offensively.
The presence of veterans Hope Akello and Flavia Oketcho in JKL lineup gives the side a chance against the FIBA Africa Zone 5 title-chasing REG.
All-Kenyan show as KPA, Equity chase semis slot
This is a fixture with many variables. In addition to playing in the same league, it is a repeat of last year's AWBL Quarter-Finals, a match that the Zone defending champions won on their way to reaching their first ever final in a continental competition.
However, Equity got their revenge in the Kenyan league, defeating Antony Ojukwu's charges 3-2 to lift the title. It remains to be seen whether the Dockers, who have bolstered their squad with three key additions in Alima Doumbia, Nkem Akariwe and Veronica Keita, will surmount the Bankers' pressure.
The charge for Benson Oluoch's Equity will be led by skipper Betty Kananu, a former player for the Dockers, Judith Pantaleo and Maryann Nyagaki offensively. On the defense, Vallary Kemunto has led the rebounding charts and will be key.
The match will also see siblings Elizabeth and Selina Okumu go up against each other, the former suiting up for the Bankers.
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