adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE senior men and women’s national teams come to Bulawayo on Sunday for their final Afro-Basketball and All-Africa Games qualifiers camp with both squads confident of sailing through to the finals.Six countries – Zimbabwe, South Africa, Seychelles, Zambia, Botswana and Angola will participate in the joint qualifiers for the men and women from February 21-28 at the ZITF Halls. The top team in each category will earn a slot for the Afro-basketball Championships to be co-hosted by Tunisia and Cameroon while the All-Africa Games will be held in Congo-Brazzaville later this year.
Angola’s men’s team by virtue of being defending champions have qualified for the Afro-Basketball finals and will be targeting the All-Africa Games. This means that South Africa will be Zimbabwe’s biggest threat for the Afro-Basketball finals.
In the women’s category, Zimbabwe are favourites to make it for both finals having been to the last edition of the All-Africa Games which were in Mozambique as well as the Afro-Basketball Championships.
Sikhumbuzo “SV” Ndlovu, the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe technical chief said the two national teams are well prepared for the qualifiers.
“Both teams are raring to go and they’ve been working tirelessly during weekend training camps that started at the beginning of January. Zimbabwe has a bright chance to qualify for both categories and the coaches have done their best to make sure that they drill the sides to effectively compete for places at both finals,” Ndlovu said.
“There are 15 players in the women’s team and 19 in the men’s and the coaches will announce their final 12 next week after the arrival of foreign based players who are expected to report for duty at the weekend.”
Yowana Nyangu is the only foreign based player in the women’s squad while the men’s team has Germany based Vitalis Chikoko, Allan Zimbagu who is plying his trade in the United States of America and the South African based trio of Sternard Mapurisa, Julian Mavhunga and Simba Mhukahuru.
Meanwhile, the BUZ secretary-general Joe Mujuru has made a passionate plea to sports enthusiasts and corporates in Bulawayo to support the qualifiers just like they did during the December African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Games.
“The joint Afro-Basketball and All-Africa Games qualifiers are a big event not only in Zimbabwe but the whole of Southern Africa. We had great Games in December and the turnout was just awesome. If people come in their numbers and show that Bulawayo loves sport, then we will have more competitions coming here meaning that the AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Games equipment and venues will be put to good use,” said Mujuru.
Zimbabwe teams
Men: Tawanda Chitsinde, Taurai Chitsinde, Tatenda Maturure, Duncan Shenje (Cameo), Nyasha Ngove, William Muchuchuti (Southern Mavericks), Benjamin Jani, Billy Melusi, Andrew Gonese, Neville Chivhanganye, Simbarashe Mungomezi (JBC), Vitalis Chikoko (Germany), Sternard Mapurisa (Cape Town, South Africa), Julian Mavhunga (Pretoria, South Africa), Allan Zimbangu (USA), Innocent Sithole (Mercenaries), Evaristo Pasipanodya, Simba Mhukahuru (South Africa), Tatenda Tswatswa (Unicorns) Coach: Chewy Gilbert
Women: Melisa Majonga, Sharon Chamwarura (both Southern Mavericks), Geraldine Chiponda, Pretty Tinarwo (Lakers), Rumbidzai Dliwayo, Margaret Magwaro, Rachel Makoni, Charity Mukukuti, Kanyimo Margaret, Charity Chigumba (Vixens), Patience Chinhoyi (Real Returns), Yowana Nyangu (Wits University), Serina Chareka, Dorcas Marondera (JBC), Isabel Ngweni (FML) Coach: Laddy Munetsi
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo