Dynamo upbeat about opener against Cape Town Tigers

Kalahari Conference hosts Cape Town Tigers chase their first-ever Basketball Africa League win on home soil, but that’s not something Dynamo are contemplating.

But, if the history between these two teams is anything to go by, Cape Town might have a slightly edge.

When the two sides faced off last November in Johannesburg during the BAL qualifiers, Cape Town cut a 15-point deficit to beat Dynamo 76-61.

However, things have changed as both teams have made rosters adjustments, which might impact the game.

Terry Larrier and Pieter Prinsloo, who combined for 36 of Tigers’ 76 points in the win against Dynamo, are no longer part of Cape Town's rotation.

Three influential players - Chris Obekpa, David Deng and Deshaun Morman – also departed the Bujumbura-based side, but it’s the arrival of former Tigers guard Dhieu Deng that might keep Cape Town wary.

“They are a very relentless team,” said Cape Town Tigers guard Samkele Cele, reflecting on Dynamo.

“They play hard; they crash the boards super hard. How we were able to beat them? We upped our defensive intensity and started boxing out, getting rebounds. At some point we were down by 15 at half, but we pounded and we got the win.”

Dynamo head coach Julien Chaignot, whose former team COSPN had Cape Town against the wall before falling 67-63 in the BAL qualifiers last November, says, Dynamo have a chance to upset Cape Town.

“We are trying to show that with hard work we can achieve good results,” the Frenchman said.

Talking about the challenges they face in the Kalahari Conference, Chaignot noted: “These are very experienced teams, especially Petro de Luanda, a well-coached team… Rabat plays good basketball. As for Cape Town, we know it’s going to be difficult but I think we can surprise them.”

Dynamo, who advanced to the Elite 16 thanks to a FIBA Africa wild card, are the first Burundian team to qualify to the BAL.