Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
JUNIOR national team players will lead Bulawayo’s quest for glory at the two-day Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) National Championships starting tomorrow in Masvingo.
The senior men and women as well as the boys’ and girls’ Under-18 teams will represent Bulawayo at the games.
The boys’ Under-18 trio of Davison Chivero, Ryan Mhlanga and Norman Chimukanda will use their national team experience to provide stability to the Bulawayo side, while the girls will bank on Mitchelle Moyo, Nomqhele Mahlangu and Nicolle Nyoni. Moyo, Mahlangu and Nyoni are members of the national Under-17 girls’ team.
Pretty Tinarwo, the Bulawayo girls’ team coach and a member of the provincial senior women’s squad, is confident they will bring medals from Masvingo.
“Everyone is raring to go. The girls put in lots of training and I’m confident we will win in Masvingo. Harare have always been our biggest threat, but that doesn’t mean we will underestimate other provinces. We are geared up for the games and we want to make Bulawayo proud,” said Tinarwo.
The senior women’s team has a number of experienced players in the form of Tinarwo, Charmaine Chirinda, Geraldine Chiponda and Melisa Majonga.
Just like the women’s team, the men’s side has seasoned players in William Muchuchuti, Mike Zvoushe, Tafadzwa Gonyera and Shadel Noble.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Basketball Association’s technical head Ndumiso Mabhena and Admire Chafa will leave the city today to attend a technical meeting in Masvingo.
“Our technical representatives at tomorrow’s draw Mabhena and Chafa will be our advance party so that we know who we face on the opening day before we go to sleep. We are only spending a night in Masvingo because of financial constraints, but I don’t think travelling on match day will have effects on our players as they are focused on the matches,” said Howard Phangwana, the BBA secretary-general.
Squads
Men: Andile Chirinda, (Nust), Wellington Kasosera, William Muchuchuti, Mike Zvoushe (Giants), Shadel Noble, Otheniel Murambatsvina, Noah Penduka (Oilers), Jordan Davis, Tino Gumbo, Derrick Chiradza (Highlanders), Liberty Nyathi, Tafadzwa Gonyora (Mavericks)
Technical team: Melu Ndlovu, Durell Adams, Daniel Mombeshora
Women: Jacqueline Penduka, Seldom Woods, Pretty Tinarwo, Geraldine Chibonda (Lakers), Tanya Mugaradziko (Nust), Melisa Majonga, Isabel Sibanda, Brandina Muleya, Sharon Chamwarura, Chairmaine Chirinda (Mavericks), Pretty Moyo (Highlanders)
Technical team: Mxolisi Ndlovu, Theodore Weale, Patricia James
Under-18 Boys: Mthokozisi Sibanda, Norman Chimukanda, Nqobile Mpala, Timothy Nyirenda, Mthulisi Dube, Chingwa, Keith Mumba, Prince Dube, Gareth Jeckins, Ryan Mhlanga, Davison Chivero, Beaven Phiri
Technical team: Admose Ndlovu, Thabani Ndlovu
Under-18 Girls: Nomqhele Mhlanga, Nicole Nyoni, Michelle Moyo, Blessing Machazire, Harriet Chabikwa, Lorah Halahala, Thandeka Ngwenya, Donna, Bridget Ndlovu,Fadzai Chinyamakovu, Nkosi Mhlanga, Nyasha Kaonde
Technical team: Pretty Tinarwo, Lerule Smith, Charmaine Chirinda
