adminSisa Sihwa, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Basketball Association (BBA) women’s league champions, Southern Mavericks have begun their preparations for the Zone 6 Fiba Afro-Club Championships.
The club competition which will be held in Gaborone, Botswana runs from 20 to 26 October.
Mavericks were dominant in the BBA league finishing ahead of Lakers (second) and Nust who were third last season. The champions went on to finish as runners up in the National Club Finals which earned them a spot at the Regional Fiba championships.
Speaking to Sunday News last week, Mavericks’ team manager, Hubert Bhebhe said all their players were available and had reported for training.
“Our players have reported for training and we have started training for the regional champs,” said Bhebhe.
They are coached by senior and Under-20 women’s national teams mentor, Mxolisi Ndlovu and captained by Charmaine Chirinda, who is one of the oldest players in the BBA whose experience will largely contribute to the team’s success moving forward.
The Bulawayo’s top women’s side has won the regional gong three times running and has become as invincible as former champions Giants and Highlanders in their glory days. Players such as Sibongile Mkandla, Nobukhosi Ndlovu and Mellisa Jonga have elevated Mavericks to a very competitive side five years after their establishment.
Bhebhe also highlighted some of the challenges the club was facing ahead of the championships. He said they did not have corporate support for the championships.
“We need about $8 000 for us to prepare adequately and then travel to Botswana for the champs. At the moment we are relying on friends and supporters of the club to get by,” revealed Bhebhe. — @j_sihwa
derick.khumalo