The Sunday Mail
SHE has been away for six years but as Alexandra Maseko prepares to make a return to the women’s national basketball team, very little has changed.
The team continues to be dogged by funding challenges and everyone is looking up to the United States-based centre for inspiration on and off the court.
Maseko is expected to make her long-awaited return when Zimbabwe begin their quest to qualify for the AfroBasket Championships in Mozambique next month.
The 27-year-old last played for the national team at the 2011 All-Africa Games, also held in Mozambique.
“I have always loved representing my country on the international stage despite the many difficulties we tend to face in things like preparation and sponsorship.
“Of late I have not been able to play because I had to fund my own way to Zimbabwe and back,” said Maseko as she explained her absence from the international scene.
“The financial burden has always been on me and for the Mozambique All-Africa Games, I was able to do that as I was home visiting family. Since then the cost has been too great.”
With Maseko once again back in Zimbabwe on holiday, national team coach Erinous Kasaruware did not hesitate to call her up.
However, Maseko will have to find a way of gelling with teammates who cannot play ball at the frantic pace she is used to.
“It’s always challenging, integrating the two styles of play, and all I can do is my best.
Some say all eyes on me but I beg to differ. I think the pressure is on Zimbabwe as a team as once again there is a limited amount of time for whoever will be in the final team to prepare and subsequently for the coaches to prepare us,” she said.
Maseko is keen to impart the vast knowledge she has amassed in the US.
The Zimbabwean centre went through the mentorship of Fiba Hall of Famer Anne Donovan during her time at Seton University (2009-2013).
It doesn’t really get any more seasoned than Donovan as the 55-year-old is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
“I loved Donovan as a coach and still love her as a mentor. My coaches in the US really focused on turning young student-athletes into complete young women on and off the court, something I feel is lacking in Zimbabwe.
“Before her, the coach who recruited me and essentially gave me a shot was Phyllis Mangina, also a great coach who was like another mother to me.
Hopefully during our time in camp the other players will be able to learn a thing or two from me,” said Maseko.
