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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S senior men’s basketball team found the going tough at the ongoing Afro-basketball Championships when they went down 67-87 in their opening match against Algeria on Thursday night in Tunisia.
All the matches are being played at Rades Arena in Tunis with 16 countries taking part.
Zimbabwe, who are making their maiden appearance at the prestigious event, are in Group D with Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Cape Verde.
On Thursday they had their first match of the tournament which they lost 67-87.
Zimbabwe had a good start in the first quarter leading 20-15 but they could not maintain the momentum with Algeria taking the second quarter 17-24.
From there Algeria dominated the match taking the third and fourth quarter 27-17 and 21-13 leading up to their 87-67 victory over Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s point guard Tawanda Chitsinde was rated the top performer from the Zimbabwean team with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Mohamed Harat was the outstanding player for Algeria contributing 21 points for his side.
He had 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal.
However, for a team that is making its debut appearance, Zimbabwe’s performance was not bad but they will have to take their game to another level today when they face Cote d’Ivoire if they are entertaining any hopes of making it to the knockout stages.
The team is under the guidance of Ellery Pinkerton and had a week-long camp in Germany in preparation for these championships.
In the other group D match, Cape Verde beat Cote d’Ivoire 76-56 to start their campaign in a positive note.
They will complete their group matches on Monday when they take on Cape Verde.
The championships are also serving as qualifiers for next year’s Olympic Games.
Team
Taurai Chitsinde (captain), Tawanda Chitsinde, Simbarashe Mungomezi, Tinotenda Mugabe, Moses Muyambo, Eric Banda, Duncan Shenje, Vitalis Chikoko (vice-captain), Tatenda Maturure, Everisto Pasipamire, Brian Hore, Neville Chivhanganye.
Online Reporter