Story by Mthokozisi Dube
ZIMBABWEAN men’s and women’s basketball teams will have to come back stronger after they lost their second matches to Zambia at the ongoing Afrobasket-AfroCan qualifiers in Bulawayo.
Billed the Battle of Zambezi, the match between Zimbabwe and Zambia lived up to its billing as the Zimbabwean men’s team dominated the opening three sets, only for the Zimbabweans to allow complacency to creep in towards the end of the match.
The fourth quarter saw the Zambians executing their physical game plan to eventually defeat Zimbabwe 63-53.
Coach Kelvin Ben said the game was more of a physical contest but with another tie against Zambia set for this Friday, they are still in it.
‘‘It was a difficulty and physical game but since we are still going to play with them tomorrow, we will work out something.’’
On the other hand, the Zimbabwe ladies’ team suffered a 94-43 defeat to Zambia.Â
Despite the losses, the race is still wide open although a win for the home sides could have left the teams in a better position to seal qualification.
The Afrobasket-AfroCan qualifiers which are also an opportunity to market brand Zimbabwe will run up to the 28th of this month with top teams in the men’s and women’s categories set to advance to the finals set for Rwanda.
