adminMzingaye Sibanda, Sports Reporter
A 12-member Zimbabwe national women’s wheelchair basketball team is set to leave the country today to take part in the World Cup qualifiers which start in Johannesburg, South Africa tomorrow. They will compete against the hosts South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon and Morocco. The Zimbabwe women’s wheelchair basketball team will be competing for the first time outside the country.
The team is set to depart from their camping base at Freedom House in Mzilikazi this morning.
Harare based players joined the rest of the squad on Monday as finances continued to take a toll on the players.
The team was set to depart on 5 August but failed to secure $12 000 to cover all expenses for the trip.
Zimbabwe team manager Nkosilathi Dube in an interview yesterday said they had been promised funds by Tshinga Dube.
He said the trip would depend on them receiving the promised funding.
“We are waiting for money to travel, (Tshinga) Dube gave us a positive response but we are still appealing for other sponsors to come on board,” said Dube.
Wheelchair Basketball Association of Zimbabwe president and coach for the women’s team Walter Ndlovu said the preparations were going on well.
“We have a good squad and we want to do wonders in South Africa, I’m positive we will do well even if it’s our first time,” said Ndlovu.
Deliwe Moyo of Qhubeka will captain the side and will be assisted by Gladys Chiweta of Richwood Basketball Club.
Team
Ratidzo Tomu, Irene Moyo, Deliwe Moyo (captain), Margaret Shate, Silindeni Murengi (Qhubeka), Juliet Matanhire (Shining Stars), Gladys Chimveka, Medeline Choto, Magret Bangajena, Thandiwe Ndlovu, Constance Ncube (Richwood), Molene Muza (Zvishavane).
Online Reporter