Basketball in Africa

By Paul Munyuki
HARARE Basketball Association and Ghetto League side
Highdon Raiderz may miss the services of Mernard
Masawi when they take on Jewels at the University of
Zimbabwe courts this afternoon.
However Coach Ngoni Mukukula, said that that would be
no justification for them to suffer a defeat as they
also have secured some players over the threeweek
break and have also been working out during the break
in order to keep their bodies in shape.
Masawi has not been attending some of the clubs’
training sessions and there was still some doubt in
the Raiderz camp late yesterday over his availability
for the game his afternoon.
Jewels are second placed on the log and have bagged a
total of 30 points form 17 outings after they suffered
four defeats and the best they have done is
registering 13 wins.
Though it might be a bit too early to judge, Highdon
Raiderz might have to put a bit more effort in their
play are they to male it for the national finals at
the end of the season.
Only the top eight teams in the sixteen team league
will make it for the national finals and Raiderz, who
have 25 points from 16 games are seated on eighth
position – the cutoff line.
“Our team is looking good and just from that I can
say that we have what it takes to upset any of the
teams in the league and that is why we are playing in
that league.
“We worked as a team over the break and since the
start of the second half of the season we have managed
to get Pardon Hapazari a power forward and Tendai
Nyagumbo former Bucks player,” said Mukukula.
Mukukula added that they know what is expected in
their game against the former rebels and they are
going to give them all the respect this evening.
“Jewels are getting stronger and though they lost to
Pross we are not going to treat them lightly as they
have also beefed up their side.
“Obviously if we are going to succeed in this game we
have to be cautious in all aspects of the game from
attitude, play and all would work in our favour,” said
Mukukula.
At the same venue, in the battle for the third place
Cameo will be taking on Celtics as both teams have 29
points with Simon Lawson’s side on fourth place and
Roderick Takawira’s Cameo on third place.
In the Bulawayo Basketball Association League
Highlanders clash with Kings with Highlanders coach
Zenzo Sibanda admitting that they have always played
second fiddle to Kings.
But Sibanda hoped for the change of fortunes saying
that this would be their chance to turn the tables.
“We have always lost to Kings but this is a different
game and my boys are ready to do battle,” said
Sibanda.
Highlanders will be banking on top point scorer
Thandani Dube while Garikai Gumbo and Shingi Magwaro
are expected to carry the day for Kings.
HBA Fixtures
ALeague: Kingdom Cavaliers v Mufakose Hawks, Jewels v
Highdon Raiderz, Cameo v Celtics, Snipers v Nuggets,
Black Rhinos v Mbare Bulls, Faithwear Jammers v
Varsity Leopards, Golden Spurs v UZ Stars.
BLeague: Kingdom Cavaliers v Mufakose Hawks,
Crocodiles v Nyamidzi Blazers, Sigauke v Richwood,
Stormers v Drifters.
Women: Kingdom Cavaliers v Mufakose Hawks, Jewels v
Highdon Raiderz.
BBA Fixtures
Men: Men ALCC v Giants, Highlanders v Kings, Men
Academy v Bucks, Classics v Lords
Women: Queens v Empire Lakers, Giants v PG Lakers,
Empire Lakers v Highlanders.