Basketball in Africa

ZIMBABWE will be hoping to secure their place at the FIBA African championships when they take on Malawi and favourites Mozambique in Zone Six Under-18 basketball qualifiers at the City Sports Centre today.

The hosts got off to a winning start when they walloped Malawi 105-26 in their opening match on Monday.

The boys will play Mozambique in the morning before taking on the Malawians again in the evening.

The three teams are having to play each other twice to determine who wins the sole ticket to the FIBA Championships which will be hosted by Mozambique later this year.

But it is Mozambique who pose the biggest threat to Zimbabwe;'s hopes of being among the continent's best Under-18 teams.

Zimbabwean teams have always struggled against Mozambican opposition and their coach Laddie Munetsi said they would treat today's match differently from their approach to the tie against Malawi.

"We obviously watched Mozambique and Malawi playing and they have watched us playing.

"We will make a small adjustment on the team because Mozambique are a totally different team from Malawi.

"They have the experience and they have one of the best junior development programmes and we are aware of it.

"We are taking each game as it comes and we are being very cautious as we approach each and every game," said Munetsi.

With Malawi turning out to be the whipping boys having also lost 34-89 to Mozambique earlier on Monday, it is the Zimbabwe against Mozambique encounter that will decide who progresses to the FIBA finals.

This means captain Munyaradzi Gonese, shooting guard Robert Mugabe Jnr, Simba Chitsungwe and Munashe Gwenzi would have to be at their best to overcome the taller Mozambicans.

A tall order also awaits the Girls team, who would have to clear the tough challenge from perennial campaigners Angola.

Zimbabwe and Angola square off at 2pm.

It will be the second meeting between the two sides as they are the only teams competing.

In their first meeting on Monday, Zimbabwe were on the receiving end of a 90-38 defeat by the Angolans.

Girls' coach Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu while acknowledging that they would have to literally move mountains said he was expecting an improved show by his charges.

"We are trying to work on some of the mistakes and create a positive mind on the players.

"Yesterday (Monday) the girls were not on top of their game, they did not play as a unit.

"We want to build confidence in the players and come up with a combination that will turn the tables.

"We are hopeful that the girls will put up a very good show.
"Usually the first games are tight however, we are going out in full force and do our best because there is still a chance," said Ndlovu.

Team manager Farai Kanyenze also shared the same sentiments with Ndlovu.

"Yesterday (Monday) the girls panicked, it was sort of stage fright because most of them have never played at international level but in terms of skill I think our girls are better and I believe they were just intimidated by the Angolans' height. The girls saw their mistakes and are now working as a team.

"I think they are now motivated because we also pointed their strength to them," Kanyenze said.

Only two teams, one from each category will qualify for the FIBA African Championships.