Basketball in Africa

Her name is Charity Mucucuti and nobody ever call her "Chorky" again cause on Saturday March 3, 2007 she choked the life out of South Africa in a All Africa Games qualifier played at the City Sports Centre.

Chorky as she is affectionately known by her friends went 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and a block to help Zimbabwe win 82-64 against their fancier opponents South Africa. South Africa had come into the game with the fastbreak their primary weapon but they learnt the meaning of fastbreak on Saturday. Zimbabwe played the "run 'en gun" style that left the "Inzula" clutching their waists and gasping for breath as they totally dismantled the South Africans.

Coming in as a sub Mucucuti combined well with captain Fadzai Mabasa who dropped 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. Mabasa finished top scorer for Zimbabwe and her hassle was a joy to watch. Mabasa normally a number 3 had to drop to the 4 when Isobel Tengende was dropped from the squad. With Mucucuti at the 5 the two ran rings of the South Africans.

3 South Africans excelled namely Takalani Mfamadi (13 pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts), Jermaine Kermis (13 pts, 3 steals) and Philadelphia Khoabane (12 pts, 10 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls, 3 blks). Khoabane did have 8 turnovers as she succumbed to the incessant Zimbabwe pressure. Zimbabwe forced 33 turnovers compared to their 22. Both teams made around 22 field goals and the main difference came in the free throws where Zimbabwe went 27 of 45 and South Africa was 17 of 29. The rebounding was also a major difference maker as Zimbabwe had 22 offensive + 31 defensive rebounds compared to South Africa's 8 offensive + 30 defensive rebounds.

Clearly as much as resources are essential in producing good teams, the heart of a player will always prevail. This is probably one of the best games Zimbabwean women have ever played against decent opposition.
By Roderick Takawira