Basketball in Africa

JBC men go into the weekend with facing two tricky teams in Kingdom Cavaliers on Saturday at Richwood and Pross on Sunday at the University of Zimbabwe. JBC has the manpower to win both games but may need to pace themselves as both Cavaliers and Pross do have their different strengths that need to be matched. Cavs has youthful ability and grit from veterans like Fungai '2-Foots' Sakatira, Sam Parirayi and Mdu Mathe. Pross bring a whole load of power but no running and in Steve Mudawarima (-C) and Francis Muvevi had 2 of the strongest players in the league. JBC has to run against Pross but will be coming off a nightmare assignment against a very speedy Cavaliers. Look to JBC's Eric Banda and Simba Mungomezi to set the tone for the weekend.

Sigauke have 2 tricky fixtures in Stormers on Saturday and the Comeback Boys, Nuggets on Sunday both games at Richwood. Stormers will be out to atone for the whipping by Varsity Leopards which they believe was caused by the referees. But then again Stormers have always blamed the referees for ALL their defeats. A very youthful side under the mentorship of Linos 'Ninja' Mushonga Stormers can beat anyone. Nuggets a similarly built team who play a little more physical than most of their opponents would want also run and can shot the 3. Sigauke are a dangerous team led by the Chitsinde brothers Taurayi and Tawanda. Consistency has been an issue for Sigauke and their numbers do not inspire confidence. But on any given day they are probably the best defensive team in the league and only JBC have conceded less points. In 18 games Sigauke has conceded 629 points whilst JBC have given up 596 in 17 games. Cavaliers have given up 662 points in 18 games whilst the average points given up by the top 8 teams in 913 points.

Game to watch will be the 'There can only be one...' clash between Medusa South Central and Gentelmen's Association at Richwood on Saturday. Truly there can only be one team at the bottom of the league. There is a lot of bad blood between these 'giant minors' and the team that loses is for all intense purposes relegated. GA's Nigel Muponda fired the first volley at South C promising a 'no turnover' game but 'spicy dishes' galore. He needs his shooters Godfrey Chakurangeyi, Cogan Maboreke and Spencer Nyamadzawo to be 'ready for war'. South C have not been sitting on their laurels and went on a recruitment drive netting Jammers swingmen Tapiwa Chirenda. Chirenda teams up very well with the evergreen Blessing 'Slab' Chidimu who can still shoot the 'J'. Bet a beer that one of these teams will lose....sic!


from africabasket.com