NAIROBI (Kenya) – MBB Blue Soldiers can thank Dyvonne Pfachi for their dominance over their neighbors Malawi. The southern African derby ended with a score of 90-61 in favor of Cyril Shabalala’s men.
Pfachi, who achieved a staggering 100% success rate, teamed up with Marcus Mokwena to score 52 points in a two-legged match that saw the South Africans withstand an early onslaught from the Bravehearts to regain the lead. victory after opening the competition with a 102-59 defeat against Nairobi City Thunder.
The team got off to a perfect start, leading 24-8 in the first eight minutes, but within just two minutes their lead crumbled, with Harrison Banda leading the Malawians on a 14-0 run, reducing their deficit to only one basket at the end of the period.
Bernard Kawanga gave the Bravehearts the lead for the first time in the first minute of the second period, shooting from distance, but Lebese Selepe responded immediately, with Khiry Shemar Shelton leading the contest in an exchange of advances and shots . Christopher Karrol Williams’ layup brought the Malawians back to 34-31, while Selepe brought the MBB to 34.
Neo Mothiba scored a three-pointer that allowed MBB to regain the advantage and lead 44-39.
But the Bravehearts did not resist and collapsed in the third quarter (28-9), MBB finishing the match with a score of 18-13.
THE TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH: The Bravehearts’ comeback in the first quarter sparked coach Shabalala, who urged his troops to find their rhythm, but the Malawians were caught cold when they let MBB dictate their pace in the third quarter (28:9).
THE HERO: Pfachi treated the fans at Nyayo Gymnasium to a Basketball masterpiece, hitting 100% of his shots and missing only once in eight attempts at the free throw line, for a total of 32 points, to which are added 7 rebounds and 6 assists for 41 efficiency.
THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE: In a game that saw 11 lead changes and four ties, MBB’s 12 of 25 on three-pointers was the game-changer. Pfachi made 5 of his 5 shots and Mothiba 4 of his 9 shots, and the duo propelled their team to victory. The team also managed the ball better, but the ball share stats went to the Bravehearts, who recorded 21 assists.
THEY SAID: “We bounced back playing as a team, unlike the opening game. The goal today was to play hard, to play for everyone and as a team. They gave us some rebounding problems at the start of the game. match, but we rallied to win as we head into the final group match, we have a semi-final place in our sights and we hope to continue this momentum until Sunday’s clash. Dyvonne Pfachi Pfachi.
“We respected our game plan, but we had a defensive failure. We were too exposed and they took advantage of it to hurt us. We return to our work plan, we work on our defense and on Sunday the show will be Regardless, it was a great experience to be the first Malawian team to qualify for the Elite 16. It’s a step in the right direction for basketball in our country.” Harrison Banda.
FIBA
