Basketball in Africa

FOUR foreign-based basketballers have been named in the Zimbabwe squad to prepare for the Zone VI Championships next month in Harare.

Men’s national team coach Ronald Garura, announced a 29-man squad that will go into camp tomorrow and will feature Elijah Moyo and Tawanda Nyashanu, who are both based in the United States, and Namibia-based duo Brian Hore and Mpumelelo Hlabangana.

Both the men’s and women’s national teams begin full-scale training this week leading up to the eight-nation tournament running from February 24 to March 3.

"We have been in contact with our foreign-based players as well as their coaches at their respective bases. They are already in season so their fitness levels should be fine. We expect the Namibia based guys to have joined us by Wednesday and we are also expecting the US-based players to be in by Friday," said Garura.

On the women’s side, the technical team, led by Ngoni Mukukula, named an all-local 21-member squad that will also be going into camp tomorrow.

Both the men’s and women’s squads will be trimmed down to 15 players each after the coaches have had a look at the players. The final list of 12 players for each side will be selected at a later date. Both national teams are likely to engage Zambia in warm-up matches at the City Sports Centre next weekend as they step up preparations for the games.

The resumption of full-scale training camp means that action in the country’s provincial leagues will be suspended to allow the players to fully focus on the games preparations.

Players from Harare are expected in camp tomorrow while those from outside the capital have been given until Friday to join camp.

"The two leagues (Harare and Bulawayo basketball associations) will take a break after this weekend’s games so that the national team can begin camp," he said.

"We have been doing midweek training, that is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with players working with coaches in their respective provinces. We drafted a conditioning and technical programme for the selected players to follow from their bases before they join up as a squad next week."

The Zone VI basketball tournament will serve a dual purpose: as qualifiers for the All-Africa Games in Algeria and the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola later this year.

MEN’S SQUAD

Farai Tumbare, Royce Takaendesa, Duncan Shenje, Norest Shenje, Menard Masawi, Innocent Katsuware, Tawanda Muchenje, Gideon Kembo, Tafadzwa Mudimu, Innocent Sithole, Tapiwa Maguranyanga, Tonderai Mukubvu, Simbarashe Mungomezi, Artwell Dzikiti, Hazvinei Njerere, Tafirenyika Soko, Nyasha Mushekwi, Allan Tegunde, Taurai Chitsimbe, Emmanuel Mukandi, Eric Banda, Tapfuma Muchaneta, Walter Mabhena, Tapfuma Chihota, Angus Shonhayi, Mpumelelo Hlabangani, Brian Hore, Elijah Moyo, Tawanda Nyashanu

WOMEN’S SQUAD

Regina Chisale, Alex Maseko, Juliet Misihairambwi, Shamiso Sigali, Isabel Tengende, Fadzai Mabasa, Sibongile Mkandla, Alice Misihairambwi, Alice Mandivheyi, Dorcas Marondera, Abigail Gondo, Rumbidzai Dhliwayo, Maggy Magwaro, Horacia Makoni, Charity Muchatuta, Talent Samu, Sinikiwe Bakasa, Patience Chinhoyi, Sokuhle, Maggy, Vicky.