Dar City cruise to victory in game 1 of men’s NBL Final
DODOMA: THE 2024 National Basketball League (NBL) men’s final playoffs got off to a thrilling start over the weekend at Chinangali Park, Dodoma, with a dominant Game 1 performance by Dar City.
In an all-Dar es Salaam clash, Dar City cruised to a resounding 97-48 victory over Army Basketball Club (ABC) in the opening game of the best-of-three series.
From the tip-off, Dar City asserted their dominance, racing to a 29-16 lead in the opening quarter. Their momentum continued into the second quarter as they outscored ABC 15-13, extending their advantage to a comfortable 44-29 at halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the decisive period. With standout performances from Shin Brownlee, Thebeet Manka, Amin Mkosa, Gilbert Nijimbere, and Alinani Andrew, Dar City unleashed a devastating 31-7 run, effectively putting the game out of reach for ABC.
ABC struggled to respond, and Dar City continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, finishing strong with a 23-12 performance to seal the commanding 97-48 victory.
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Game 2 of the men’s final is set for today, and with ABC facing elimination, the stage is set for what promises to be an intense, do-or-die showdown. The winners of the series will each receive a cash reward of 140,000/- from sponsor’s betPawa.
Exciting women’s semi-finals
The excitement did not stop with the men’s game. In the women’s semi-finals, BD Lioness from Dar es Salaam and Fox Divas from Mara also showcased impressive performances. BD Lioness defeated defending champions Vijana Queens 59-40.
Fox Divas, last year’s finalists, were equally impressive, cruising to an 83-52 win over JKT Stars. With their high-energy play and efficient scoring, Fox Divas set themselves up for an exciting final, while BD Lioness looks poised to make a strong challenge for the title.
Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Secretary General Mwenze Kabinda clarified that there will be only one game in the women’s final, with the two top teams booking their spots in the 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone Five Qualifiers.
