MANAMA and Muharraq are set to lock horns tomorrow for the right to claim this year’s Zain Super Cup.
The one-off game is the traditional season-opener of the national basketball season, pitting the previous year’s league champions against the Khalifa bin Salman Cup winners. Since Manama lifted both trophies last season, the Bahrain Basketball Association selected Muharraq to play this year, being the runners-up of the Khalifa bin Salman Cup tournament.
Manama were also the winners of last year’s Super Cup, marking the third straight year they clinched the title. Tomorrow’s encounter is a re-match of last year’s game, which ended 90-81.
Tip off tomorrow is scheduled for 7pm at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.
“This is a very important game for us; to start the season well and win the Super Cup is one of our goals,” said Manama team captain and court general Mohammed ‘Kempes’ Hussain at the official pre-game Press conference yesterday, held at the same venue.
“Last year, we won all the championships in the country and this year we want to do the same, so we will play as hard as we can to get it.
“Muharraq are not an easy opponent so we have to fight in these 40 minutes.
“Our confidence is always 100 per cent. Anything less than that will not get the job done.”
Manama have had a whirlwind off-season, losing influential Kuwayed brothers Mohammed and Younes to Riffa but also signing superstar point guard Hussain Shaker away from Al Ahli. Six-foot, nine-inch American Wayne Chism has also returned for another stint with the team as their professional player.
“We are sad to see Mohammed and Younes leave but that is the life of a professional player in sports; we accept who will come and go,” said Hussain, adding: “We are very happy to have Hussain Shaker with us.
Manama’s veteran Bahraini head coach Aqeel Milad concurred. “We have many players who can play multiple positions so this is now their chance to fill in the spots left by Mohammed and Younes,” he said. “Hussain Shaker is also a very big addition to our team.
“We hope to see them play well together; we will also give a chance to some of our young players who are ready for this game.”
Aside from Hussain, Chism and Shaker, some of Manama’s other key players are Ahmed Aziz, Maytham Jameel, Mohammed Ameer, Ahmed Najaf, Mohammed Qurban and Hassan Nairouz.
On the opposing end, one of Muharraq’s major off-season additions was head coach Alen Abaz from Bosnia and Herzegovina. They have also welcomed former NBA player Sean Williams to their squad. The six-foot, 10-inch American has suited up for the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics during his career, and will be making his debut in Bahrain tomorrow.
Adapt
Coach Abaz has been working hard over the past month to get to know his team and prepare them for the upcoming season-opener. He has identified the outside shooting of his players as one of their major strengths, and he hopes to maximise that as part of their game plan against Manama.
“I am trying to always adapt to the players I have on my team – their skills and abilities,” he said in Muharraq’s Press conference yesterday.
“With our team right now, as I see, we have many good shooters. Bahraini players do not have big size as compared to European players, but we have some amazing shooters here.
“Winning the Super Cup will be a big mental push for our team; every game is very important but it is important to start the season on a positive note. I hope we can do it.”
Muharraq shooting guard Ali Abbas is no stranger to his team’s rivalry with Manama, having been a part of it the past few seasons.
“It is always a special game when we play against each other,” Abbas said. “We will both try to win this game. Our confidence is always high when we face Manama, whether it’s in a final or in any normal game.
“We hope we can win it.”