University of Zululand basketball team up their game

THE University of Zululand basketball team made history by qualifying for the USSA Games to be held at Wits University in July after finishing second in a tournament held at UKZN at the weekend.

This is the first time the local university has qualified for the prestigious games.

‘We are super excited and honoured with this achievement and look forward to working hard ahead of the tournament to do our university proud,’ said coach Zama Dlamini.

The Unizulu lads got their tournament in Durban off to a great start by beating DUT 70-65 in a game in which they were the underdogs.

The second match against MUT got off to a bad start with the Unizulu fellows playing catch-up for most of the match, but they pulled through in the end to win 67-52.

The tournament took its toll though, with key players Sihle Mthethwa, Felix Maduku and Harris Maduku all picking up injuries ahead of the last game against defending champions UKZN, which they lost 20-58.

The students compete in the local Bounce Basketball League in Richards Bay, which has helped them grow as a team.

‘Our goal is to win the local league and use it as a yardstick to measure our readiness for the USSA Games,’ said Dlamini.

UKZN and Unizulu will represent KZN at the July tournament.