BBH and Khubestate square off, one local rider for Roof of Africa

NBL all weekend...

2015 champions Bashana Baheso will face Khubestate this evening at the Lehakoe Club in this week’s Friday night National Basketball League fixture.

The teams go into the clash in contrasting form but in equal need of the win.

BBH are the favourites.

The Tšepo Makhupane coached team is on a four-game winning streak, the second best run in the NBL A-Division after runaway log leaders Bokamoso South.

It has been a solid turnaround for BBH who battled injuries and poor form at the start of the 2016/17 campaign.

BBH began their league season with defeat to Bokamoso South in September and then went on to lose three of four games at last month’s Sprite Memorial Independence Tournament.

However, BBH have steadily gained momentum and they beat reigning champions and arch-rivals KTA All Stars 58-50 in their last outing. Their upturn in form sees BBH third on the table, equal on points with second-placed Lichocha Shooting Rifles. Both sides are five points behind Bokamoso South but both have two games in hand and a win this evening would keep BBH in the hunt for first place.

Khubestate, on the other hand, are ninth in the 11 team league and have won just twice in seven games. However, even with their disappointing run, a win this evening would bring Khubestate back into contention for a playoff spot. Khubestate have eight points and victory over BBH would lift them to ten points, one point behind fourth placed NUL Rovers. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.

The encounter between BBH and Khubestate is part of a potentially busy weekend of NBL action.

Last week rain wreaked havoc on the NBL schedule with several games washed out. Weather permitting, there will be a full line-up of matches this weekend. The games will be played at the National University of Lesotho. In total there will be 15 Ladies league and A-Division games over the course of Saturday and Sunday.

Roof of Africa... Lesotho riders

In other sports, organisers of the Roof of Africa have voiced their displeasure at the fact only one Lesotho rider has registered for this year’s race. The off-road motorbike showpiece is set to run from the 1st to the 3rd of December but despite offering free entry for local riders, only Joseph Motenane has confirmed his involvement.

The development is part of a worrying yearly decline in the participation of local riders. Last year only four Lesotho riders took part in the race.

Organisers have said they are reserving places for any locals who may show interest in entering before the Roof of Africa starts. The last time a Lesotho rider won the Roof of Africa was Patrick Andrews in 1992.

Finally, there will be action for cricket and rugby fans to enjoy this weekend.

In cricket, fans will be treated to a derby between Lerotholi Polytechnic and NUL Vampires on Saturday. Lerotholi are the form side having beaten Linare by four wickets last weekend.

Finally, in rugby, national champions Mabote Beavers will battle NUL Spears in Roma on Saturday. Beavers go into the game with the psychological edge having won the last two meetings between the teams.