Mixed fortunes for Zim teams in Botswana

IT has been a tale of mixed fortunes for Zimbabwean teams at the ongoing Federation of International Basketball (Fiba) Zone Six Club Championships in Gaborone, Botswana.

The premier professional basketball event for champions of leagues in the Zone Six region started on Friday and ends on October 26.

Zimbabwe is being represented by Southern Mavericks and Lakers in the women’s event while Hornets from Harare are competing in the men’s category.

Lakers women have had a tough start to the tournament and lost their three opening games, losing to Southern Mavericks before falling 39-99 to Inter Clube from Angola. They were also hammered 26-96 by 1 de Agosto of Angola.

Hornets lost 48-98 to Recretivo Libolo of Angola in their first game but bounced back in style to comprehensively beat Botswana’s Troopers 90-47. They also beat Dolphins from Botswana 75-53.

Southern Mavericks opened their campaign with a 65-43 victory over Lakers Seniors. This was sweet revenge for Southern Mavericks who lost 50-52 to their rivals in a Bulawayo Basketball league game before the Botswana tournament. Mavericks, however lost 35-94 to Feroviaro de Maputo of Mozambique.

Mavericks manager Hubert Bhebhe is confident Zimbabwean teams will continue to show character at the championships up to the end.

“This is a very tough competition, but we are up for the challenge. The Angolan and Mozambican teams are strong, but we will surely put up a fight,” Bhebhe said.