Zimbabwe beat the hosts, South Africa, 53-49, at the Fiba Zone Six Games, which served as qualifiers to both All Africa Games and Fiba African Championships, last weekend.
Assistant coach, Simon Lawson, is confident his charges will rise to the occasion when the competition heats up at the All Africa Games, in September.
The competition at this stage will be more competitive than the regional games. This is the first time Zimbabwe has qualified for the games after hosting it in 1995 and being picked by a wild card to play in Algeria. So, it gives us time to prepare because now we know we are going to represent Zone Six in September and we have to prepare ourselves, he said.
Zimbabwe managed to turn the tables in South Africa and proved an emerging powerhouse to reckon with – pulling a surprise win against the hosts. The last time the two met Zimbabwe lost in both matches they staged in Harare.
We knew we had no reason not to qualify, especially when Angola and Mozambique had already qualified for the tournament, all we had to do was beat South Africa. I can tell you even Mozambique was shocked at the way we played.
By virtue of being the host nation, Mozambique had its place reserved, together with Angola, the defending champions of the All Africa Games.
The national mens side found the going tough against South Africa and Mozambique and missed a ticket to represent the region. South Africa will travel to Mozambique as the Zone Six representatives, in September.
Zimbabwe women: Regina Chisale (captain), Charity Chigumba, Fadzai Mabasa (vice-captain), Sharon Chamunorwa, Ethel Saba, Isobel Tengende, Dorcas Marondera, Margret Magwaro, Yolanda Matayataya, Helena Nyagato, Rachel Makoni, Precious Musanhi. – Coach: Ronald Garura
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News