Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S top basketball clubs are staring at two different problems, but both could end with the same result, being left watching Africa’s biggest stage from home.
For women’s champions Vixens, the immediate fight is money. For men’s champions Harare Kings, the concern could stretch beyond funding and into the future structure of African basketball itself.
Vixens’ long-awaited push for continental basketball is hanging by a thread after the club revealed they need close to US$50 000 to attend the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) qualifiers.
Club founder Margaret Magwaro admitted the numbers have put the team’s plans under pressure, although she says hope remains alive.
“It is a delicate situation that we have here,” said Magwaro.
“Ordinarily, we would love to attend the qualifiers, but funding remains our biggest obstacle.
“We estimate that we will need something in the region of US$50 000 and that is mainly to cater for accommodation, registration and player welfare.
“That amount could go up depending on the host country because flights will also have to be considered.
“We are moving around trying to source funding and remain hopeful that something may come up.”
The situation leaves one of Zimbabwe’s most successful women’s basketball teams in an uncomfortable position.
Since being formed in 2013, Vixens have built a strong domestic record, winning five national league titles while consistently staying among the country’s leading sides.
Now they face a familiar challenge for local teams, success on the court demanding resources away from it.
Preparations have already started despite the uncertainty. Players are training twice a week at Queen Elizabeth basketball courts, and the club is hoping to use the Swaziland Invitational tournament as part of its build-up.
“The girls are training, and we expect sessions to become more intense next month,” said Magwaro.
“We are also hoping to travel to Swaziland and use that competition as part of our preparations.”
The WBLA qualifiers are expected to run between September and November, with the finals pencilled in for December.
Harare Kings may be facing a different headache altogether.
Reports suggest the Basketball Africa League could move towards a franchise-based system from 2027, replacing the current qualification route used by clubs across the continent.
If implemented, the changes would reportedly reduce access through the “Road to BAL” route and place greater focus on permanent franchises backed by major investment and world-class infrastructure.
Cities such as Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Kigali and Cairo have been linked with possible franchise places.
For clubs like Harare Kings, that creates uncertainty. Zimbabwe’s champions are still chasing continental progress, but questions are now emerging around whether smaller markets and traditionally developing basketball nations will still have a realistic pathway onto Africa’s biggest stage.
No comment could be obtained from Harare Kings yesterday.
