Vusumuzi Dube
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
FIVE countries have confirmed participation in next month’s Afro-Basket Zone Six qualifiers and Afro-Can qualifiers competitions to be held in Bulawayo.
The confirmed nations alongside the hosts, Zimbabwe are Angola women, Mozambique men, and women, South Africa men and women, Malawi men, and Zambia. The qualifiers are scheduled for 20-28 February.
According to Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (Buz) president Joe Mujuru, a total of eight teams are expected to take part in the continental showpiece. The men’s side of the competition was moved from November 2022 to this year so that it runs concurrently with the women’s qualifiers which were confirmed to be coming to Bulawayo after the men’s.
Mujuru confirmed that preparations to host the much-anticipated tournament are going smoothly as they also seek support from Bulawayo residents to make sure that the tournament becomes an astounding success.
He added that it has been a long time since the national team had taken to the courts thus it is promising to be an exciting eight days of high-quality basketball.
“We are excited as we draw closer to the tournament dates. Our preparations are on course but then of course, we need the support of the Bulawayo community to make this event a success.
We are also calling on the corporate world as well as business persons to chip in and help in whatever way they can.”
“It’s been a while since the national teams were in action. This is going to be exciting and we hope to have the best talent in the country taking part in the competition.
Our leagues are running smoothly across the country and we should be able to come up with strong teams that will battle for honours,” he said.
The senior men’s team has Kelvin Ben as the head coach. He is assisted by Theodore Weale and Francis Dube while Pondai Chitauro is in charge of the women’s side with the assistant being Gladys Phiri.
Online Reporter