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THE national women’s basketball squad is expected to start a week-long training camp in Bulawayo this afternoon as part of their preparations for a four-team invitational tournament to be held in Maputo, Mozambique next week. Zimbabwe will compete with South Africa, Kenya and the host nation at the competition meant to celebrate Mozambique’s 40th independence celebrations.
Sikhumbuzo “SV” Ndlovu, the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe technical president said they will leave for Mozambique on Monday.
“We’re starting preparations for the Mozambique invitational tournament tomorrow and we expect all the ladies to report for duty by lunchtime so that they’ve a training session later in the day. The squad we’ve called is made up of local and foreign based players. I think the one week camp is adequate because the ladies played together at the Afro-Basket qualifiers. We will not be going there just to make up numbers but to effectively compete,” said Ndlovu.
The BUZ official said Mozambique has promised to cover the team’s costs.
The three foreign based players called for camp, University of Johannesburg’s Charity Chigumba, Dorcas Marondera who plays for Vaal University and Soweto Raptors’ Natal Pike are expected in camp this evening.
Ndlovu said Vixens’ duo of Rachel Makoni and Margaret Kanyimo are likely to miss the Mozambique trip as their club will soon be embarking on a tour of Swaziland.
Three Bulawayo-based players – Sharon Chamwarura of Southern Mavericks and Lakers’ duo of Yolanda Matayataya and Jacqueline Phenduka – have been called for national duty.
Zimbabwe provisional squad:
Sharon Chamwarura (Southern Mavericks), Yolanda Matayataya, Jacqueline Phenduka (Lakers), Steffi Wishcourt, Sithabile Ngandini (Greenstones), Judy Nyamakawa (FML Bullets), Francisca Sekete (Raiders), Natal Pike (Soweto Raptors), Dorcas Marondera (Vall University), Charity Chigumba (University of Johannesburg)
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter