Tough test for Warriors as BAL's elite 16 begins

William Balozi-coached Ulinzi Warriors landed in Johannesburg, South Africa earlier this morning, ready to do duty for a chance to feature in the Basketball Africa League's (BAL) second edition set for next year. 

The Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league champions made the elite16 list after finishing second to Burundi's New Star in the first round qualifiers held in Dar es Salaam in October. 

Balozi is looking to guide his charges to a top-three finish in an Eastern conference that has been reduced to three teams following the exit of Uganda's City Oilers and Tanzania's Kurasini leaving the military side to battle South Sudan's Cobra Sport and Mozambique's Ferroviario Beira in the group stage. 

The other group has hosts Cape Town Tigers, New Star and Matero Magic of Zambia. As such teams will need at least a win to proceed to the semi-finals with the winners qualifying for BAL as well as the third-place winner. 

"We have prepared well for this championship knowing what is at stake. We meet Cobra who we played in Tanzania but they have recruited and we cannot sit on our laurels despite having won against them in round one. Against the Mozambicans, we will be meeting them for the first time but we have a chance to see them in action on the first day against Cobra," said Balozi ahead of their departure. 

While other teams had a chance to make three changes to bolster their squads from those that did duty in the first round of qualification as per the competition rules, Warriors were dealt a blow after it emerged their non-military players were unable to travel, including those they had intended to bring in to strengthen the team due to Visa hitches. 

Balozi will miss the services of five James Mwangi, Victor Bosire, James Khaemba, Ancet Wafula and Valentine Nyakinda, all who were in action in Dar es Salaam. The soldiers had also brought in Kenyan International Ariel Okall to bolster their squad but he too was unable to travel with the squad that had to get their visas on arrival in South Africa, as a local arrangement between the two countries' military departments. 

"Missing the five is a blow to us buy this is a chance for my soldiers to step up and get the job done. I have a big squad so issues of having gaps in any positions will not emerge but they have to give their all in all matches to make sure we qualify for the final and secure our spot in next year's extravaganza," offered Balozi. 

In addition to the five, the champions will also miss the services of John Washika who is sidelined with a knee injury that saw him miss action in Dar es Salaam as well. 

"Washika got injured before the competition in Dar es Salaam began and unfortunately it was not something he could recover from in the short period between the two qualifiers. He is an integral part of my squad and missing him has an impact on the team no doubt," Balozi added. 

The soldiers will be in action on Wednesday 8 December against Cobra in their opening match before meeting the Mozambicans on Thursday. The semis and final are set for Friday and Saturday respectively.