Chiware beefs up JBC squad
WHILE three Zimbabwean clubs have technically earned the right to compete for a ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL), only one has made it to the qualifying stage of the continental contest.
By virtue of winning the 2019 Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) National League, Mercenaries earned the right to represent the country at the 2020 launch of the BAL, faltering at the preliminary stages of the competition.
Foxes, the most recent club to earn a ticket for the BAL qualifiers, failed to raise the required funds and were forced to withdraw last year.
Now, JBC are set to join that list. However, the team’s head coach, Addison Chiware, is hoping it will be third time lucky for them when they travel to Botswana for the 2023 BAL qualifiers set for October 20-24.
“It is an honour to be representing the country as this is not just a JBC thing but we will also be flying the Zimbabwe flag.
“We intend to give it our best and hope to make it past the qualifiers and into the main competition,” Chiware said.
The Harare-based side are fresh off one of their best seasons to date, as they finished the 2022/2023 Harare Basketball Association Super Six League unbeaten by winning all 25 games.
JBC then wrapped up proceedings by winning the BUZ National League to complete the double.
They only dropped just one game all tournament.
As they turn their focus on the international assignment, Chiware has since roped in the Zimbabwean foreign-based duo of Tafadzwa Taylor and Saul Phiri, who are in the United States and Zambia, respectively.
Taylor plies his trade in the US college circuit, while Phiri is with Matero Magic.
Chiware has also brought in centres Tyhai Joaquin Byers (US), Fallou Ndoye (Senegal) and guard Denote Deron Burton (US).
“I believe that our run during the 2022/2023 season does not leave us on shaky ground, and the fact that we managed to retain the core of the team should give us more cohesion and leave us in better stead.
“However, this is a different ball game (BAL) and we have managed to make a few adjustments and additions.
“We have since brought in a couple of foreign-based players, most of whom should give us that competitive edge given the leagues they play in.
“Phiri has also played in the BAL before with Matero Magic, and that experience and exposure should come in handy.
“Preparations have been going on well and we expect to wrap up proceedings with a couple of scrimmage games to give our players a good run and help improve their match fitness.”
BAL is the premier African continental club basketball competition.
The 2024 edition is expected to be held in Rwanda for the fourth consecutive season.
Each season typically runs from March to May.
The current format consists of 12 teams, of which six from the top-ranked countries on the continent qualify directly, while the others have to go through qualifiers.
Defending champions Al Ahly, Petro de Luanda, US Monastir, APF and AS Douanes have automatic entry into 2024 BAL main tournament.
In the qualifiers, JBC have been placed in the East Division Group D, alongside hosts Dolphins, Bravehearts (Malawi), UNAM Wolves (Namibia) and Munali Suns (Zambia).