BOTSWANA : Troopers crowned basketball champions

MOGOMOTSI BUZWANI
Correspondent - Mmegi 10/11/2010

FRANCISTOWN: Troopers have successfully defended the men's league title and are now top seeds for the national championship to be held next weekend. Troopers clinched the title with two games left after collecting 30 points from 16 outings. The Gaborone side lost twice to army boys BDF V and Cadets but sealed the title with a 92-80 win over Eagles over the weekend.Francistown side, Splinters are second with their outstanding fixture being a match against city rivals, Flames.

Splinters have 28 points and have lost six times during the season. Although Splinters can finish on 30 points, they have an inferior goal difference and the head-to-head meetings favour Troopers. The remaining teams will now shift their focus on securing a spot in the national championships. Competition is expected to be stiff this weekend as Splinters, Cadets, Eagles, Flames, Police and Spartans battle out for the national championship slots. Spartans face Troopers in a tough encounter seeking to avoid defeat for the first time in four meetings.

Flames will lock horns with Police knowing that a win can take them to the national championship. Splinters will need to win to avoid meeting Troopers in the semi-finals. The top four teams qualify for the national championships to be held at the UB Courts. In the women's league, three teams are fighting for top spot. BDF V, NIIT and Relics will battle it out for the right to play Police in the women's national championship final. Relics appear to be favourites to progress to the final.