adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S basketball teams edged closer to the semi-finals after registering wins in the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games by beating South Africa 62-51 (men) and the women’s 18-137 victory over Lesotho yesterday. All the matches were played at ZITF Hall Three with the host nation enjoying passionate support from their fans.
The victories delighted about 1,500 supporters who rallied behind the teams through song and dance.
The Zimbabwean women who on Saturday beat Botswana 72-28 were favourites to thump Lesotho and they did not disappoint with Sithabile Ngandinitop scoring for the hosts with 24 points.
Zimbabwe went for the first quarter leading 27-5 and by halftime they were firmly in control of the game carrying a 63-10 lead. At the end of the third quarter, it was clear that the hosts were heading for another landslide victory as they had a lead of 91-16 and the final score was 137-18.
It was Zimbabwe men’s team that got a run for their money when they faced South Africa and managed to beat their much fancied opponents by racing to a lead and making sure that as much as the visitors sniffed a come-back they were always ahead.
As far as momentum goes, Zimbabwe had it in spades in this match as they went for a two minute break after the first quarter leading 14-10. They stretched their lead to by six points at halftime and were 41-33 at going for the last quarter.
South Africa tried to stage a comeback, keeping Zimbabwe on their back foot but the hosts managed to withstand pressure with disciplined defending and pouncing on breaks.
“We studied their last game and knew that they’re dangerous on the offensive and we had to be alert when defending. Even when they were piling pressure on us, the boys never lost concentration and remember at one time the scoreline was 49-48 but we managed to extend the lead on counters,” said Zimbabwe’s assistant coach Tapiwa Muchungunyara.
If Zimbabwean teams win today, they will qualify for the semi-finals.
Results
Yesterday:
Men: Zimbabwe 62-51 South Africa, Malawi 51-43 Swaziland
Women: South Africa 56-34 Botswana, Lesotho 18-137 Zimbabwe, Angola 46-37 Mozambique
Fixtures Today
Men: Swaziland v Zimbabwe (11AM), Angola v Malawi (3PM), Mozambique v South Africa (7PM)
Women: Botswana v Lesotho (9AM), South Africa v Mozambique (1PM), Zimbabwe v Angola (5PM)
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