Byo teams eye gold medals

Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO teams are confident of grabbing gold medals in the three-day National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Under-17 Inter-Provincial Basketball Championships that start today at Eveline High School. The country’s 10 provinces all converge in the City of Kings for the premier Nash basketball tournament.

The Bulawayo boys’ team consists of five players that won gold in the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) Under-18 Inter-Provincial Championships held in Masvingo in March.

Nkulumane High School’s quartet of Mthokozisi Sibanda, Timothy Nyirenda, Mthulisi Dube and Prince Dube, as well as Ryan Mhlanga from Petra High are expected to lead Bulawayo’s quest for gold.

Thulani Ndlovu, the Bulawayo boys’ team coach, said his charges are ready for the tournament. “The fact that the core of our team played in the BUZ Inter-Provincial Championships gives us confidence as we go into this tournament. Their experience will come in handy, but we won’t underestimate our opponents. If we stick to our game plan, I’m certain we’re going to win,” said Ndlovu.

The girls’ team is being coached by former national team gaffer Sikhumbuzo “SV” Ndlovu and has four players that took part in the BUZ meet in Masvingo and lost to Harare in the final. These include Eveline High’s Nyasha Kaonde, the Dominican Convent duo of Thandeka Ngwenya and Nkos’phile Mhlanga, as well as Dona of Ihlathi.

“The girls are geared up for the games and come tomorrow (today) they’re going to show what they’re made of. They’ve been in camp since Monday and have been working hard. It won’t be an easy competition, but they’re ready to fight for positive results,” said Ndlovu.

Harare are expected to give Bulawayo’s teams a good run as the two provinces renew their rivalry.

Bulawayo Teams
Boys: Mthokozisi Sibanda, Timothy Nyirenda, Mthulisi Dube, Prince Dube, Mthokozisi Sibanda, Joseph Tshuma, Musawenkosi Mayisa (all Nkulumane), Ryan Mhlanga (Petra), Tashinga Ngwerume, Neville Chindungwe (both Milton), Beaven Phiri (Ihlathi), Dale Mhlengi (St Columba’s)

Girls: Itaishe Chinhara, Nyasha Kaonde (both Eveline), Thandeka Ngwenya, Thandeka Dube, Charlene Dlodlo, Nkos’phile Mhlanga, Fadzai Chimakobvu (all Dominican Convent), Shanilla Noble (Montrose), Dona (Ihlathi), Jameima Mwandemwa (Sizani), Nomathemba Tshalibe, Tjabuya Ndlovu (both Northlea)