NEWS NOW: Dynamo in Burundi feels that this is their moment to change history.

Burundi: BUJUMBURA Champions Dynamo BBC of Burundi will not be there just to make numbers. They have been awarded a FIBA wild card to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) East Division Elite 16.

After New Star in 2021 and Urunani in 2022, the Robert Mugabe-coached team is the third Burundian team to advance to the crucial Elite 16 round. In their 2019 Road to BAL debut, they came in third place.

In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Dynamo’s Group C campaign got off to a great start, easily defeating Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the eventual winners, 75-63. They then fell 71-62 to Pazi BC, the leaders, before destroying Elan Coton of Benin 88-59.

They were placed second and it was manifest from their results that the Burundian champions thoroughly deserved to earn a slot for a trip down South to battle against the top sides for honours in the BAL, the continent’s premier club competition.

Dynamo will have a date with host Cape Town Tigers, NBA Academy Africa and Pazi, who upstaged them in the showdown in the Tanzania Port City, in the Group A East Division.

The Burundians have a tough battle in their hands as they will face eight other tough teams in the Qualifier that has now been slated for November 21-26.

Mugabe noted that to make the team competitive, there are plans to add a few talents to the side, both within Burundi and maybe have one or two international players on board.

“The prospects have been identified but nothing has been finalized just yet.” he revealed adding, “I am confident a majority of the team will be available for the task ahead.”

Dynamo still has the same roster that did duty in Tanzania, but there are plans from the team management to have some key players injected into the team to give the side a more competitive edge.

“I think we are a better team now, we have a young group of talent who are willing to push it to the next chapter. We are on one positive ride to achieve this goal.” Mugabe, who arrived in Bujumbura in January from Rwanda told FIBA.basketball.

Nigerian teenage sensation Israel Otobo and King Revolution were two of the main acts in the Dar es Salaam assault. Together with South Sudanese player DavId Deng, the pair led the team’s offensive assault during the Qualifiers.

Mugabe mentioned how difficult the competition was in Dar. It featured tight defensive teams, players with high IQs, and intense play. In order to obtain favorable outcomes, one needed to constantly be on point because officiating was also different. But they’ll be capable of handling it.

In response to being given this opportunity, he stated, “I can only say God has beene good to us and we are more than grateful for this opportunity as underdogs.” The team has much higher goals.

The team’s immediate goal is to advance all the way to the final round in Kigali, Rwanda, and they will treasure this rare opportunity.

Mugabe declared, “We shall keep dreaming big.”

Because they think this is their chance to create history, Dynamo are prepared. They will not give up until the very end.

FIBA: