Basketball in Africa

By Jeremiah Sejabosigo
Gaborone — The national Under 16 women's basketball team is capable of defeating Zimbabwe in an Afrobasket qualifier tomorrow (May 28).
The two teams clash in the FIBA Africa Zone VI U-16 Afrobasket qualifiers at the Botswana National Youth Centre (BNYC) multi-purpose hall at 2pm with Botswana looking to redeem its pride after being outclassed 19-68 by South Africa on Tuesday.
Team coach, Olebile Kepaletswe, said they were familiar with Zimbabwe's style of play, having faced them at the COSASSA Games in Zambia last year.
"Some of our players played against them last year in Zambia. So we know how they play and I believe we can get something our game with them," he said.
Botswana could not cope with the South Africans' crispy passing movements and accurate shooting as they fell to an opening day defeat. Power forward, Thandiwe Mqanda and point guard Siyamthanda Sigwela were brilliant as South Africa opened a 16-4 lead in the first quarter.
Despite all the committed efforts by the local girls, the gap between the two teams was evident and the visitors effectively wrapped the match as a contest in the second quarter.
They led 35-10 at the break, and then continued with their onslaught in the second half to ultimately run off comfortable winners.
Kepaletswe said the loss against South Africa was understandable because South Africa has good development structures compared to Botswana. "Our performance against South Africa was okay. Our kids are still young and learning, so we don't have to put them under pressure," he said.
The coach pointed out that their biggest weakness against South Africa was reaction speed and inaccurate shooting.
"We have to improve in the conversion of our chances. Our defence was okay but our problem was converting chances." Meanwhile, the boys under-16 team also suffered a crushing 120-16 defeat at the hands of South Africa in their opening match on Tuesday.
They would also like to redeem themselves when they face Zimbabwe today at 4pm. Six countries, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola are taking part in the qualifiers.
The games would finish on Saturday and winners of the girls and boys sections would qualify for the Afrobaskeball finals.
Source : BOPA