Ulinzi Warriors target top spot at BAL in Tanzania

Ulinzi Warriors head coach William Balozi says they will fight to advance to top their group when the 2022 Basketball African League qualifiers begin on Friday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

That would earn the Kenyan champions qualification to the round of the tournament that has twice been postponed following team withdrawals that forced a format and fixtures rearrangement.

“I’m happy I will be able to watch my opponents play today. My aim and target in this pool is to top the group and we won’t settled for anything less,” Balozi said.

ASCUT of Madagascar and HAWASSA CITY of Ethiopia who were to face Ulinzi in their group pulled out from the games.

Their withdrawal would have meant Ulinzi and Cobra Sport of South Sudan proceeded to the next round but FIBA initiated changes to ensure there was a contest.

“FIBA decided to make some changes and I had to accept them. Initially after withdrawal of two team from our groups it was automatic for the remaining two teams we qualify,”Balozi added.

Ulinzi are in a Group E that consists of three teams and will begin their campaign against New Star of Burundi on Saturday before closing the group stages with a clash against Cobra Sports.

The championship has been divided into six groups of qualification where two teams from each group will qualify to the second round of qualifiers.

Group E has Kurasini Heats of Tanzania, City Oilers of Uganda and Brave Heats of Malawi

FIXTURES

Friday

17.00 / 5.00 p.m.  New Star (BDI) VS  Cobra Sport (SSD)

20.00 / 8.00 p.m.  Bravehearts (MAW) VS Kurasini Heats (TAN)

Saturday

17.00 / 5.00 p.m.  Ulinzi Warriors (KEN) VS New Star (BDI)

20.00 / 8.00 p.m  City Oilers (UGA) VS Bravehearts (MAW)

Sunday

17.00 / 5.00 p.m.  Cobra Sport (SSD) VS Ulinzi Warriors (KEN)