Hornets contest match forfeiture

HARARE Basketball Association men’s A League champions Harare City Hornets want a replay of their ill-fated game against JBC which was cancelled under controversial circumstances last weekend.

The tie was called off in the first quarter and awarded to JBC on a 20-0 score line after Hornets had been accused of using two unregistered players. The champions were leading their foes 16-4. While the game was underway, JBC officials are said to have approached the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe and complained that the city-council club were using some ineligible players.

Charmaine Chamboko, the BUZ secretary-general, is said to have then proceeded to inform the game officials on the table to call the match off and give it to JBC.

According to the rules, the only person who can call off the match is the association’s technical director Martin Mukweva who argued that JBC were supposed to play the match under protest. But Chamboko overruled him. Hornets secretary general Forster Manezho confirmed his team had taken the case further.

“I can confirm that Harare City Hornets have written to the Harare Basketball Association pertaining the cancelled game between the team and JBC last weekend.

“Hornets were leading 16-4 in the first quarter when the officials decided to call off the match saying we had used unregistered players.

“One of the players is a Zambian national Titus Njovu and the other is Everisto Pasipamire whom the officials said had no clearances to play in the HBA.

“But the two have clearance letters which we have attached to the appeal letter.

“We want the match to be replayed but as of now we will be waiting to hear from the HBA. But, what I am very sure of is that the duo are legible to play for us,” said Manezho.

Meanwhile, Foxes will have to be at their best if they wish to see their dream of pipping Hornets to the title as they face a stern test against Cheetahs at City Sports Centre tomorrow.

Bottom-placed UZ Stars get Week 19 fixtures underway against Hustlers tonight at the same venue.

Fixtures Today

UZ Stars v Hustlers (City Sports 8:30pm)

Tomorrow

At City Sports Centre GV Rockets v JBC (4pm) Cheetahs v Foxes (5:30pm) Hornets v Raiders (7pm)

Sunday At Richwood

Herentals Patriots v Cameo (4:30pm) Arcadia Bucs v Varsity (6pm)

Women Tomorrow

Vixens v Raiders (City Sports Centre 1pm)

At Richwood

Bindura University v Lady Lunx (12pm) Bindura University v First Mutual Life (3pm)

At

UZ JBC v UZ Rookies (1pm) UZ Sparks v Hustlers (2:30pm) Greenstars Academy v Raiders (9am) Harare City Hornets v Hustlers 910:30am) Acadia Bucs v Greenstars (12pm)

Sunday At

UZ Vixens v UZ Rookies (9am) UZ Sparks v Lady Linx (1:30pm) Mabvuku v JBC (3pm)