NELSON DIRENG
africabasket.com
Four teams will do battle in the National Basketball Championship which starts at the University of Botswana (UB) courts this weekend. The line-up of the championship is not yet complete and tonight, Spartans and Flames play their outstanding league fixture to determine who joins Troopers, Police and Splinters in the last four.
Troopers finished tops in the league with Police second while Splinters are third. Troopers are expected to play their first game tomorrow against the winner of the Spartans and Flames' duel. A Spartans' win will see the revival of a bitter rivalry with Troopers.
Spartans who are last year's runners-up suffered shock defeats in the league and were eclipsed by surprise packages, Splinters and Flames. BBA league committee chairman, Kabo Khama said any team that finishes in the top four has an equal chance of winning the championship although Troopers are the favourites.
This year's league has been full of surprises as unfancied teams shocked the big guns. While Troopers maintained pole position, the chasing pack has been reconfigured with the likes of Splinters occupying third spot while Spartans are on the verge of missing a top-four finish.
BDF V who finished fourth last year have ended a disappointing ninth this season. Meanwhile, there are three outstanding fixtures in the women's league. Police V which have already secured a place in the championship will wait for the league to conclude to know their opponents.
'Most players are students and they have pulled out of the games to concentrate on their exams. We are still facing problems of recruiting match officials at games and getting sponsorship,' said Khama.