BASKETBALL - KATANGA CHAMPION
Even under the baskets, Mazembe smashes...
July 24, 2013
Ravens of Mazembe Basketball Club are the Katanga champions. The basketball team of the Mazembe family (male version) won the provincial title after a breathtaking final, Tuesday 16 July at the Joseph Kabila KABANGE Stadium against his eternal rival, BC Lupopo. During this final that has kept all its promises, the Ravens had a fright in losing the second quarter before returning into the game and eventually win 50-45.
The 100% brass band group and the Bana Douala made prevail a warm atmosphere in the stands of the Joseph Kabila KABANGE Stadium for the local derby of basketball version. As if it were in the Kamalondo Pot attending the opposition between these two great football soccer teams of the province. On the Ravens’ side, even if everything was in place so that players could do a nice game, the start of the match was very difficult. Only Prince NGONGO former railway man was involved in the philosophy of game by the coach Luc in recovering from offensive rebounds which allowed his teammates to settle for a draw (11-11) at the end of the first quarter. Very dull in terms of the game, the second quarter reflected the low level of the game, the challenge of taking on the game because of blunders and lack of fair play occurred during the last encounter. The Ravens were exceeded by 2 points, 17-19 at halftime in favor of Railway guys of Lupopo.
If in terms of domination the first half was to the advantage of Railway men, this was not the case in the second half where the party wavered in favor of the Ravens. Toto KABANGU, and Bam's Pichou KAMBUYI multiplied three-point shots for the first time in the match, Mazembe is leading (16-10 in the third quarter) and took advantage of the good technical quality of its players on the bench to overcome Lupopo in the fourth quarter (17-16), winning 50-45 at the end.
The Ravens win the provincial trophy and they qualify for the Congo Cup in Kinshasa on 27 July. The provincial coronation is only the confirmation of a great season for Ravens already winners of Lubumbashi Championship. In seven matches against the Railway men of Lupopo in this season, the Ravens totaled five wins, one draw and one defeat. Remember that in the semifinals of the provincial tournament, the BC Mazembe got rid of Kamikazes of Lubumbashi Sports 51-47.
From now on it will be to Kinshasa that the Ravens will look to regain a spot in the playoffs of Zone 4 of the FIBA-Africa. Good luck to our basket ballers...
Women Basketball players of Mazembe rehabilitated!
In the female version; the Mazembe girls victims of a large administrative error when the total points were relegated to the third place in the provincial championship that prevented them from competing the Congo Cup. After an appeal, women were rehabilitated by the League and will be in Kinshasa as runners of DCMP / Lubumbashi.