adminOver the past season the HBA had been turned into a circus with factions fighting for the control of the strongest affiliate to the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe.
But the factions have buried the hatchet and are playing once again under a unified league.
And the financially strong Mbare Heats, known as the Moneybags in the league, showed their strength of character last weekend when they won the Ghetto League Basketball at DZ courts.
The GLB served as a warm-up tournament to the HBL and Mbare Heats have already taken a favorites’ tag when they take on Glen View Pistons today.
Another title contender in the HBL will be perennial powerhouse Raiderz, who are still have Norest Shenje in their line-up, while Sigauke can also not be ruled as they have a shrewd coach in Roderick Takawira.
Sigauke were in the wilderness in the last season because of the boardroom squabbles that tainted the league.
Carlos Munda, the spokesperson for the unified HBL, believes the fights are a thing of the past and hopes Harare will reclaim its stake as the strongest league in Zimbabwe.
“We are playing under one unified league called the HBA and the top league has 18 men’s teams and an equal number for women.
“There are 12 teams playing in the B- League and we hope to play exciting games until the end of the season some time in March next year.
“Now that we are united, I call upon teams to be serious with their games so that we retain the confidence of the stakeholders like fans and sponsors,” said Munda.
Fixtures
Today
Women: LA v Las Models, JBC v Trail, Heat v Pistons
Men: Assassins v Jammers, Trail Blazers v JBC, Heat v Pistons, Cheetahs v Gentlemen Association, Trail Blazers v JBC, Mbare Heats v Pistons (all matches at Richwood)
Tomorrow
Mablazo v Richwood, Raiderz v Hustlers (DZ), Drifters v Falcons, Lakers v Sigauke.
Online Reporter