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Your weekly briefing...

Another week of everyone with players of importance doing a fine job of maintaining and in some cases getting improvement.

Kefentse Solomons: No pops for the second or maybe it's third week in a row. But the DMI and GS are both maintaining their optimum levels. I may just let him run the point this week, see how he translates there with our crew since the good doctor starts him there on his club team.

Montsho Mthebe: another solid week for Bob's boy. DR pop, not quite as robust on the DMI but GS held steady. I might just let him man the middle this week as I am contemplating a little bit of experimentation on several fronts this week.

Ketso Nthite: Bob's other bookend piece had a HA pop and continues to evolve on DMI and final has 9 on GS. right where I want him to be, as to where I put him this week remains to be seen.

Lebohang Mbata: No pops, but steady on other fronts. Last week was given more of a supplemental role, this week may see him return to the starting lineup.

Kasiya Mbazia: No pops for our defensive stopper. But he is in fine shape, I have played him at the point because of the defense and because I am not quite sure on his offensive reliability if he is moved to the two slot. This week may provide a situation where that can be tested.


Fabian Pöll: JS pop, overall DMI took a bit of a hit, but GS still strong. but I might try him more off the bench this week just so I can see how others respond. Dude is still coming along wonderfully however.

Mpho Toyana: No pops but continues to evolve on the DMI/GS fronts. He is actually just a hot run of pops from potentially stealing a start or two down the stretch. But just not yet.

Jabulani Manzini: No pops this week, DMI actually went up a hair and GS is fine, but his current standing suggest there is a load of potential but not quite the level of consistency to crack the starting lineup, in time that will change.

Krish Modise: he had pops in DR and IS, so thats the good. BUT his GS is only a 7, and his DMI is rather suspect, so that is the bad. But this week I still plan to get him some minutes along the way. Just keep plugging.

And the rest of the roster is where it has been for the last few weeks. Hopefully the stalwarts take care of business in a manner which will allow for the balance of those who will dress to make an appearance this week.

Al-Jazair is the opponent for this week. Benali is a beast, Aknas is pretty good as well. The rest of the roster does not impress me. That is why I think I can monkey around with the lineups and tactics a little bit and still get the win. I have not checked the database to see who might be worthy of a flier for a call up. Last check suggested the pipeline is pretty well pumped for the time being, but you never know. If you have a guy who might start to see movement that will help this season, or even more importantly next (no matter where we end up) let me know.

I think overall the sum of our parts is greater than the individual pieces. BUT there is a lot of ground that still needs to be made up to achieve gold. But all things considered we are where I thought we could be, but we can collectively still do more. All that being said, the numbers may be small, but the dedication shown has been huge. After this week the difficulty ratchets up with Senegal on tap, that as it was the first time around will be a measuring stick for our collective progress.

SPRINGBOKS SHUT DOWN AL-JAZAIR 79-42

Lebohang Mbata led all scorers with 24 and the suddenly stingy Springboks defensive unit held Al Jazair to 17.6% shooting as the RSA started the second round robin phase with a resounding 79-42 romp. A +5 turnover differential, +6 inateals and +6 in blocks helped key the defensive domination. "During most of the first phase it was all about the offense, but as the old adage goes it's defense that wins titles. I was very pleased with the effort" coach Lambini said afterwards. "Solomans still is trying to regain the touch he had earlier in the competition, but again he is still showing tremendous engagement as his four steals and a pair of blocks testifies and both of Bob's boys had solid nights, lots of good things to build on. Next week though will be a tougher challenge against Senegal. Yes they have slumped in recent weeks, but they will be looking for some payback so we better be ready for their best effort"



In other action

Tunisia thumped Nigeria 89-68
And Egypt continued their stranglehold with a
91-40 spanking of Senegal

Nice. Keep up the good work. ;)

To steal a line from a old American TV commercial of the 80's....(wait for it)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSoCT4IHpsE


another fine week for many of our managers on their training regimes.

Kefentse Solomons: the good doctors prescription for what had ailed our man for the last two weeks was a pop in JS and DR. The GS and DMI are holding steady and slowly rising respectively. Last time out on Senegal he went off for 39, let's see how he fares this time around, he's definitely due.

Another quality week for Bob's Big Boys

Montsho Mthebe: a double pop with movement in JS and HA and a double pop for Ketso Nthite on IS and FT, couple with excellent GS and DMI and it helps matters greatly, though both have their hands full this week against Senegal's solid front line.


Lebohang Mbata: A OD pop, which helps, solid GS/DMI, we need a quality outside shooter to take some pressure off Solomons, he might end up that guy, as it is though he's sound as a pound.


Kasiya Mbazia: No pops, good game shape, solid DMI, very interesting to see where he develops next.

Mpho Toyana: A DR pop, solid GS, slightly lower than I would like to see DMI, but still making huge strides since being added a few weeks back

Fabian Pöll: No pops, GS is fine DMI remains again lower than I like, but that has a lot to do with stamina issues I think. Somewhat conflicted on his role, he is good enough to start, but might have more presence coming off the bench, I got to ponder where I use him going forward, but either way he should see significant minutes.

Jabulani Manzini: Presently in a bit of a holding pattern, but I know he will be progressing soon enough and is definitely a huge factor for the future.


and the rest of the roster is what they are, a couple of projects, a couple of guys who can contribute if called upon but on the whole a much slighter group than the mainstays. as always I will look in the pipeline to see if there is anyone worthy of a call up, that is the nice thing of having four slots left to play with.

This week the rematch with Senegal. The first time around on opening night was high drama as the Springboks held on for dear life to win by three, we have advanced significantly since that time. Senegal has lots of talent down low, seem lacking in guard play and recently they just do not seem to be playing well, which makes me even more wary. A win here would pretty well secure second and put Senegal into Egypt's bracket come the elimination round.




Last edited by Coach Lambini at 7/13/2019 11:39:14 AM

SPRINGBOKS SQUELCH SENEGAL 87-68


Lebohang Mbata paced the RSA attack with 31 points and Montsho Mthebechipped in 17 to go with 13 rebounds and 8 assists to key a 87-68 triumph which in essence will lock up at worst a second place finish in the round robin competition. "the credit goes to the clubs, it is their guiding hands that are allowing this team to flourish." Coach lambini said afterwards.

Kefentse Solomons still continued to struggle going only 2-10 before leaving the game after a hard shot early in the second period. " I was hoping to get him back on track tonight, and was a little concerned when he got knocked out,but just like every other time he either has gotten nicked or run into foul trouble the team has come together to compensate for his absence. His shot is there, his performance for the good doctor in club matches bears that out, I am confident he will be there when we need him"

In other action

Egypt thumped Tunisia 69-47
and Nigeria moved one step closer to claiming 3rd by nudging Al-Jazair 89-85

Your weekly training update

Not a great week, but still some movement.

Kefentse Solomons: no pops this week and a lower DMI/GsmS but he's still doing fine. This week I will start him at the point to see how he reacts there.

Montsho Mthebe: had a ID pop, has the best DMI on the team this week and now matches Solomons on TSP, going to give him the start this week at the 3

Ketso Nthite: no pops but steady DMI, Iets see how he does at the 4.

Lebohang Mbata: a drop in DMI/GS is mildly concerning, but he did have a OD pop but this week I am going to use him off the bench splitting time at both forward positions, I anticipate he will get decent minutes and will solidly perform

Kasiya Mbazia: had a HA pop and very good DMI, his shooting is still not quite where it needs to be but I am going to move him to SG as his defense is still our best

Mpho Toyana: OD pop but GS/DMI us down, should still perform well off the bench

Fabian Pöll: a IS pop and a improved reset gets him back his starters roll

Krish Modise: reset numbers and no pops in the concerning but he will do fine off the bench

Jabulani Manzini: no pops but a improved reset, he will contribute

The rest of the roster remains what it is! This week we face Nigeria and I feel we are ready

SPRINGBOKS LAY SMACK DOWN ON NIGERIA 99-49


Montsho Mthebe led all scorers with 23 points, Kefentse Solomons showed signs of returning to form with 15 and Lebohang Mbata came off the bench for 10 more as nine Springbok players scored at least seven to lead a well balanced attack. " It was good to see Solomons come back to life after his recent struggles, and Mthbe has been in many ways our MVP so far." Coach Lambini said afterwards.

During the first three periods the stingy Springboks only gave up a total of 28 points. " The defense has made such huge strides since the start of the season" only a clearing of the bench allowed the over matched Nigerians to salvage something from the wreckage. Coach Lambini however was still left with concerns about the foul shotting fter another sub 50% performance from the line (15-31) "I've told the fans once if not a thousand times, don't blow those damn vuvuzelas when we are at the free throw line" Coach Quipped with a nod and a wink afterwards.


The win secures the second slot in the semi finals which by all accounts looks to be a rematch with these same Nigerians. In other action the spiraling Senegalese tumbled into the elimination zone following a 81-59 trouncing by Tunisia and Egypt did what Egypt does which this time was a 109-46 drubbing of Al-Jazair which puts whatever hopes those guys had of getting to the semis on life support.

SPRINGBOKS TURN BACK TUNISIA 85-68

In another well balanced effort Montsho Mthebe led four players in double figures with 15 as seven Springboks scored at least 8 as the RSA survived a sluggish first half to Sprint away with their 10th win in 11 games of the Afrobasket competition. "Solomons continues to mystify all of us (1-10, 0-6 from three, and another foul out) . Collectively though we have done a great job game in game out" Coach Lambini said afterwards. When asked about next week's meeting with a Egypt team prohibitively favored to take away top honors he said, " next week in reality is a non issue, sure I want to best those guys, and I think we can give them a run for their money. The reality is though everything far as we are concerned is set in stone. As a team we still have to strive to improve, the results will take care of themselves"

In other action

Egypt racked up another rout 92-49 over Nigeria

And Senegal saw their chances of making the semis improve dramatically after smothering Al-Jazair 94-66

Next week will see three games played in a seven day time frame. Hopefully two of those games will be against Egypt, the first one this Monday is truly a non issue as nothing will be settled by the outcome as there is 139 points between the two so even if we were to pull the upset it will not affect the seeding for the medal round. However this does not mean I will not seek to find a way to put a good honest effort together to see if it can be done, though this might be a spot where I think a little outside the box in terms of matchups and tactics just to see if I stumble across something. Then will be Nigeria on Friday followed by HOPEFULLY a match to settle it all which I can pretty much assume will be Egypt as nobody outside of their first meeting with Senegal and our first meeting has served as anything but a speed bump for this Polish led powerhouse. The goal is to get to that point, but let's not put the cart before the horse.

A solid week of training, a potential dark cloud however looms on the horizon, more on that in a moment.

Kefentse Solomons: maximum GS and his best DMI of the year coupled with a long awaited OD pop. Has really struggled in the competition of late dating back to the troubles he had the first time against Egypt which he seemingly has never fully recovered from. While having a productive offensive output from him has been made less essential due to others stepping up I have got to see if I can cajole a solid effort from him in this last final stretch. I am almost tempted to have him come off the bench this Monday as he might just be most effective that way.

Montsho Mthebe: the guy who really has turned into the straw that stirs the drink did not see a pop this week but is holding steady on his form.

Ketso Nthite: a driving pop has him sitting pretty in the HA/DR combination, somewhat surprising low on the DMI but still strong on the GS, could come off the bench this week as well, still need to take a good hard look at where I want everyone this week.


Lebohang Mbata: a JS and JR pop this week has him on the edge of elasticity on the former which means he will probably be a big contributor offensively for next season, but he has much still to offer this season.


Kasiya Mbazia: a JR pop is nice, still more of defense orientated player, his owner let me know he is in some financial difficulty and that the creditors are about to come calling, so if you see his guys on the TL pick them up so his team doesn't get put out on the street ya know!

Mpho Toyana: No pops this week, OK on the GS/DMI, again someone who is factored into the rotation on this season with his real development expected to bear fruit next. But he does give us depth at the point.

Fabian Pöll: in a holding pattern right now, no pops but maintained the approximate condition he had last week.

Jabulani Manzini: good boost on GS/DMI as he is higher in the latter than Poll though I feel Poll is still our better option, but again he is developing well and a IS pop doesn't hurt his cause whatsoever.

Krish Modise: really don't think he will be much of a factor down the stretch as his GS?DMI is a little down and will drop further being on the TL. But he's been a stout lad for us this season.

Jabulani Makeba: Saw three pops, minor jumps in deficient HA/DR and a JS pop, is on a nice trajectory for the future.


And the balance of the squad did not leave much to write home about, nor did I expect any of them to!

Congrats to the Jr. Boks on their first win vs. Misr in 2 seasons. Hats off to coach and squad, well played.