Online Reporter
Munashe Chifamba
Correspondent
MANICALAND Basketball Association (MBA) brought the curtain down on an exciting 2025/26 season last weekend with a glamorous awards ceremony that honoured top teams, players, coaches and supporters from across the province.
D-Knights dominated the night, walking away with both the men and women championship trophies. They finished ahead of Villa Stars and Mercenaries in the men’s category, while in the women’s league they beat Mutare Rangers and Chitora Warriors to be crowned champions.
The event also recognised individual brilliance.
Meanwhile, Manicaland stamped its authority on national schools basketball over the weekend as Murambinda High and Marist Brothers High were both crowned 2026 National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) Under-14 champions at Eveline High.
In a historic double for the province, Murambinda defended their girls’ title, while Marist Brothers claimed the boys’ championship to complete a clean sweep of the national Under-14 trophies. Murambinda High successfully defended their NASH Under-14 girls’ basketball title with a commanding 29-10 victory over fellow Manicaland side St David’s Bonda Girls High in last Friday’s national final.
The Manicaland derby lived up to expectations, but Murambinda proved why they remain the benchmark in national schools basketball. Their disciplined defence stifled Bonda’s scoring prowess throughout the game, while efficient teamwork and composure on offence kept them in control from tip-off to the final buzzer. The victory made Murambinda back-to-back NASH Under-14 national champions, cementing their status as one of the country’s premier schools basketball powerhouses.
Bonda Girls’ High also deserves special mention for reaching the final after an outstanding tournament. The all-Manicaland final highlighted the province’s growing dominance in girls’ basketball. The final score read Murambinda High 29-10 Bonda Girls High.
Marist Brothers High added a new chapter to their rich history by being crowned 2026 NASH Under-14 boys national basketball champions after defeating Hamilton High in the final. Renowned for outstanding academic results, Marist Brothers proved excellence extends beyond the classroom. The championship was masterminded by veteran coach Eric Wella, whose coaching experience in the Netherlands and Japan has been instrumental in shaping the team’s discipline, tactics and success. The victory is also a proud milestone for Mutare Basketball Academy, with several members of the championship-winning squad having developed their game through the academy and the Mutare Developmental Basketball League. It reflects the academy’s growing role in nurturing young talent in Manicaland.
Manicaland’s rising basketball powerhouse
The double triumph is a major celebration for Nyanga District and the entire province, which is fast establishing itself as a powerhouse in national schools basketball. MBA and NASH officials commended the schools for discipline, sportsmanship and the quality of play displayed.
They noted that the results show what is possible with quality coaching, strong development structures, and commitment to excellence.
With back-to-back titles for Murambinda and a first for Marist Brothers, Manicaland has sent a clear message that the future of Zimbabwean basketball runs through the Eastern Highlands.
Ends
