Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE impact of Harare Kings’ achievements during the Zimbabwe 2025/2026 basketball season has not been lost on their coach Tafara Chirambira.
However, the real work starts now as the newcomers gear up for their biggest task yet at the Basketball Africa League.
With talk of the continental club championship — a joint venture between the American National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) — getting turned into an exclusive 12-team competition, the clock is ticking for new teams to join Africa’s high table.
“The initial euphoria has naturally settled, but the weight of what we accomplished is very clear,” said Chirambira.
“Winning both the provincial crown and blowing open the National League in our debut year was historic, but in elite sport, you cannot afford to live in yesterday’s triumph.
“For me and the technical staff, that victory served as proof of concept, that our structural discipline, tactical philosophy and culture of accountability work.
“However, the moment the final buzzer sounded in Bulawayo, our focus shifted from celebration to responsibility.
“We are no longer just representing Harare Kings, but we are now carrying Zimbabwean basketball onto the continental stage,” he said.
Harare Kings made history when they became one of a few teams to win both the Harare Basketball Association (HBA) Super 6 League and the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) National League title in their debut season during the 2025/2026 season.
By virtue of winning the latter, they earned the right to represent Zimbabwe at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Qualifiers later this month.
The league organisers recently released the road map to next year’s edition, affectionately called “The Road to BAL”, and Harare Kings have been dealt their draw.
According to the road map, 24 teams have been pooled into five groups for the first round of qualifiers that will be held between October 21 and 31.
The top two teams from each group will then advance to the next round, better known as the Elite 16, where they will be pooled again and divided into two groups, the East and West divisions.
There, the top two will then qualify for the 2027 edition of BAL.
Zimbabwe are in Group E, alongside Munali (Zambia), Bravehearts (Malawi), Ferroviario de Beira (Mozambique) and a yet-to-be-determined South African team.
Their qualifiers are slated for October 24-31 in Lusaka, Zambia.
“We have already begun preparing for the qualifiers, both from a team and administrative perspective,” said the Kings gaffer.
“The executive and the technical bench operate in total synergy. The Basketball Africa League (Road to BAL) is a massive administrative and operational step up from domestic competitions and we have held several strategic sessions mapping out player welfare, logistics, sponsorship drives, strength and conditioning milestones and scouting requirements.
“Our management understands that competing at this level demands professional execution both on and off the hardwood,” he said.
From an administrative point of view, Harare Kings are working with a budget ranging between US$35 000 and US$50 000 for the first round.
With financial gains coming at the tail end of the qualifiers, namely the Elite 16 stage, Chirambira and his executive have been running around in an attempt to source sponsorship.
It has been quite a struggle.
“A realistic Road to BAL qualifying campaign requires between US$35 000 and US$50 000,” said Chirambira.
“This covers international travel, accommodation, FIBA tournament registration fees, allowances, medical support and high-performance equipment. The club executive is currently engaging corporate partners, local stakeholders and private sponsors to ensure the campaign is fully resourced so that our athletes can concentrate strictly on basketball once we arrive at the tournament venue.
“We are seeking help from any stakeholder as this is more than about one team; it’s about national pride.”
On the draw itself, the Harare Kings gaffer added: “It is a formidable, highly competitive group, but that is precisely what the Road to BAL represents.
“Mozambican clubs possess immense physical pedigree and tactical maturity, while the South African sides, no matter who we get, always bring exceptional athleticism, perimeter scoring and substantial financial backing.
“The Malawian teams play relentless, disciplined basketball. We hold immense respect for their pedigree, but we do not harbour any inferiority complex.”
Chirambira is banking on the fight his team demonstrated during both the HBA Super 6 and National League competitions.
There, the reigning provincial and national champions defeated well-established teams to plot their fairytale run in both competitions.
Now, the Harare Kings coach does not see the story coming to an end any time soon.
“Yeah, we defeated established powerhouses on the domestic front through thorough preparation and execution, and we will approach our regional rivals with that same fearless, calculated mindset,” he said.
“Our domestic championship-winning core remains intact and continuity will be essential.
“These are the players who bought into our system when we were still an unproven project. However, continental basketball is unforgiving, and depth is mandatory.
“We have retained our key pillars while strategically managing the roster to create room for targeted reinforcements.
“We are actively finalising paperwork for a few key additions that will elevate our overall floor spacing, defensive grit and international pedigree.”
While he did not go into details on the new additions or targets, Chirambira did reveal that they will be looking at adding players from South Africa and Zambia to cover their immediate needs.
He even dropped a few hints on a surprise player from Canada.
“At the BAL level, you quickly realise that size, athletic length and decision-making speed are non-negotiable,” he said.
“Domestically, you can get away with small-ball lineups through high energy and defensive pressure, but in Africa, you run into seven-foot rim protectors and perimeter athletes who punish the smallest defensive lapses.
“So, we are looking at getting some legitimate interior size, rebounding power and rim protection, as well as a battle-tested floor general capable of controlling tempo under pressure.
“We need high-IQ two-way wings who can shoot reliably from beyond the arc and guard multiple positions without fouling as well.”
The team has accelerated their preparations, especially after the dates and format were released, with Chirambira satisfied with the progress.
