- This after a dominant win over UB relics
The Lions Basketball Club has secured a place in the Men’s southern division 1 league after a decisive 80-49-win triumph over UB Relics during the Southern Basketball League Promotional Playoffs.
The playoff series had been closely contested, with both teams securing a win in the first two encounters. UB Relics claimed the opening game with a narrow 52-46 victory, while the Lions bounced back in the second matchup with a 58-53 win.
This set the stage for a dramatic third and final clash, where the Lions demonstrated their dominance to clinch the last available spot in Division 1.
Speaking on the significance of the games, Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) Technical Manager Trynos Moyo stated, “These playoffs are designed to determine the team that will participate in the upcoming Southern Division 1 league, which will ultimately feature the top teams from the region.”
Lions head coach Kaelo Tibe credited his team’s success to their unity and passion for the sport, saying, “In the last game, we came together as a team and played with the mentality of competing for the love of the game.”
While Baledzi Shagwa, the coach of the UB Relics shared, “right now we are going for a rebuild and going to play in the division 2 league to build again.”
The upcoming Southern Division 1 league will feature six teams, including league mainstays BDF, Dolphins, and Police. Meanwhile, the Northern League will see Delta Spirit, Orapa Juggernauts, and BIUST competing, with the addition of new teams from Francistown and Selebi-Phikwe. This expansion aims to enhance basketball’s presence and competitiveness across Botswana.
Moyo further emphasized the BBA’s efforts to grow the sport, stating, “This year, we want to expand the league’s reach by incorporating more teams in the Northern League. Historically, this region has faced logistical challenges that have limited participation.”
He also highlighted financial constraints as a key obstacle for many teams, urging the public to support local basketball initiatives to ensure the sport’s continued growth.
The new BBA season is set to tip off this month, with games scheduled to begin in mid-to-late February. Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to an action-packed season as teams from across the country battle for supremacy in the national league.
