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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE and South Africa’s AfroBasket basketball qualifiers play-offs that had been scheduled for this weekend have been moved to next week as per the latter’s request.
The two countries will now meet on April 14 and 15 in Johannesburg. The matches will be played in a two-match series.
The winner joins Mozambique and Angola, who automatically qualified from the qualifying events held in Harare and Lusaka for Zone Six countries in March.
The participating countries from the region were divided into two groups with the top team from each group automatically qualifying for the African Championships set for August 19 to 30 in Congo Brazzaville where 16 countries will take part.
Mozambique beat Zimbabwe to earn their place at the final tournament after Botswana and Madagascar pulled out of the qualifiers held in Harare on March 18 and 19.
Angola were the top team in the other qualifying event against Zambia and South Africa staged in Lusaka last week.
Now Zimbabwe and South Africa will battle it out for the remaining ticket after finishing as the best runners-up.
Team manager for the senior men’s side, Andrew Chitauro, confirmed the development yesterday and said the team will remain in camp until their departure for South Africa early next week.
“FIBA Africa has actually moved the date on South Africa’s request. They said they were in Zambia last week. Our games are now on April 14 and 15.
“We are not going to break camp until we travel. It’s also an advantage although we were already ready to play this weekend.
“We’ve got about 15 people in camp and we will trim down after this weekend. We will travel with 12 players,” Chitauro said.
Chitauro said they are expecting France-based Vitalis Chikoko to join them in South Africa for the encounter.
“We still have got a guy coming from France, Vitalis Chikoko. He is going to join us in South Africa. He has a tight schedule, he will play the games and fly out just after the games because he has a match the following day,” said Chitauro.
Basketball Union of Zimbabwe president, Addison Chiware, is fancying their chances against the neighbouring country.
Zimbabwe would want to return to the continental championships following their debut appearance in 2015 when Tunisia hosted the event.
But they will have to up their game as South Africa are also eyeing the spot to the tournament.
South Africa’s captain Neo Mothiba recently told FIBA.com that playing at home will give them an edge when the two teams meet.
“It’s huge for us to be playing at home. With the local crowd and familiar surroundings, it will give us an edge. We have a 50-50 chance of qualifying. Zimbabwe is a good team but we are evenly matched,” said Mothiba.
Other countries that have qualified for the tournament are Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda reigning champions Nigeria and the hosts.
According to FIBA, the other two slots will be determined through a wild card process to complete the 16-team lineup.
Provisional Team
- Taurai Chitsinde, Tawanda Chitsinde, Simbarashe Mungomezi, Tatenda Maturure, Warren Tegama, Noah Penduka, Brian Hore, Nathan Warikandwa, Shoniwa Ushe, Neville Chivhanganye, Tinotenda Mugabe, Agrippa Masvisvi, Dumisani Moyo, Bensen Nyatanga, Christopher Tsvarai.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter