18 May 2006
ZIMBABWE: Lords clash with Giants
IN an epic David versus Goliath battle, Bulawayo basketball champions Giants are set to clash with city rivals Lords in the first round of the national league in a match set to be played at BCD tonight.
The other matches of the national league are scheduled for Saturday but the city derby was moved to tonight because Lords cannot play on Saturdays because of their religious beliefs.
The national league will see a total of 17 teams sweat it out for honours in Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare and Gweru. Each city will host four teams with the exception of Bulawayo, which will play host to five clubs.
The top two teams in each pool will proceed to the quarterfinals which will be played in the city next weekend.
Lords have been grouped together with Giants, Harare sides Mufakose Hawks, Raiders and Gweru side Steelers.
Bulawayo sides could easily progress to the next round as long as they beat the Harare teams and little known Steelers.
Mufakose Hawks and Raiders have been finding the going tough in the Harare league thus Lords and Giants should use that to their advantage. The toughest group is in Harare where defending champions Cameo are in the same pool with fellow Harare club Cavalliers, Bulawayo’s Highlanders and Classics.
Cameo are favourites to proceed to the quarterfinals and it will be a tussle for the other teams to compete for the second spot to make it to the next round.
Highlanders and Classics will have to beat the Harare sides to proceed to the quarterfinals.
Mutare will also be a hive of activity when Jewels and Varsity Leopards from Harare, Africa University and Mutare based White Devils clash.
Gweru is set to have Kings from Bulawayo, their local boys Rockets, Naba Pros from Harare and Gentlemen’s Association from Mutare.
In an interview yesterday, Lords captain Wayne Morgan said his side was optimistic of pulling an upset against Giants and would try to shrug off the ‘underdog tag.’
“The team is much more stronger than ever as we have acquired the services of a versatile player in Offie Dolly to add to the current squad.
“We have been training for two months undergoing regular vigorous training sessions for the event so we have all the reason to win. Giants can underestimate us at their own peril.
“The game was moved to tomorrow (today) because we are a Seventh Day Adventist run team so we cannot play on Saturdays,” he said.
The team also boasts of the services of Leroy Martins and playmaker Michael McDonald.
History favours Giants to emerge victors as the champions have beaten Lords in almost all of their outings. This year Giants beat Lords 7937 in a preseason friendly match but the Lords captain played down the issue of history counting in today’s game.
“This game has nothing to do with the number of times Giants have defeated us. Stakes are high for us to do everything possible to win the match and we will do just that…fight to win the match,” he said.
The national league is an annual event in which top basketball teams in the country clash for honours. National team selectors also get a chance to pick players for the national side.
The other matches of the national league are scheduled for Saturday but the city derby was moved to tonight because Lords cannot play on Saturdays because of their religious beliefs.
The national league will see a total of 17 teams sweat it out for honours in Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare and Gweru. Each city will host four teams with the exception of Bulawayo, which will play host to five clubs.
The top two teams in each pool will proceed to the quarterfinals which will be played in the city next weekend.
Lords have been grouped together with Giants, Harare sides Mufakose Hawks, Raiders and Gweru side Steelers.
Bulawayo sides could easily progress to the next round as long as they beat the Harare teams and little known Steelers.
Mufakose Hawks and Raiders have been finding the going tough in the Harare league thus Lords and Giants should use that to their advantage. The toughest group is in Harare where defending champions Cameo are in the same pool with fellow Harare club Cavalliers, Bulawayo’s Highlanders and Classics.
Cameo are favourites to proceed to the quarterfinals and it will be a tussle for the other teams to compete for the second spot to make it to the next round.
Highlanders and Classics will have to beat the Harare sides to proceed to the quarterfinals.
Mutare will also be a hive of activity when Jewels and Varsity Leopards from Harare, Africa University and Mutare based White Devils clash.
Gweru is set to have Kings from Bulawayo, their local boys Rockets, Naba Pros from Harare and Gentlemen’s Association from Mutare.
In an interview yesterday, Lords captain Wayne Morgan said his side was optimistic of pulling an upset against Giants and would try to shrug off the ‘underdog tag.’
“The team is much more stronger than ever as we have acquired the services of a versatile player in Offie Dolly to add to the current squad.
“We have been training for two months undergoing regular vigorous training sessions for the event so we have all the reason to win. Giants can underestimate us at their own peril.
“The game was moved to tomorrow (today) because we are a Seventh Day Adventist run team so we cannot play on Saturdays,” he said.
The team also boasts of the services of Leroy Martins and playmaker Michael McDonald.
History favours Giants to emerge victors as the champions have beaten Lords in almost all of their outings. This year Giants beat Lords 7937 in a preseason friendly match but the Lords captain played down the issue of history counting in today’s game.
“This game has nothing to do with the number of times Giants have defeated us. Stakes are high for us to do everything possible to win the match and we will do just that…fight to win the match,” he said.
The national league is an annual event in which top basketball teams in the country clash for honours. National team selectors also get a chance to pick players for the national side.
# posted by afrbk : 11:27
