The Sunday Mail
DEFENDING champions Cameo Sigauke and Vixens will be out to defend their Basketball Union of Zimbabwe Club Championships titles when Manicaland Province hosts the annual competition during the Easter weekend.
Cameo Sigauke won the men’s title in Gweru last year, while Vixens eased to the women’s championship.
However, both outfits know that they will not have it easy in Mutare as other teams have upped their game and are eager to wrestle the right to be called the best in the country from them.
Despite carrying injuries to key players, both teams have expressed confidence in defending their titles, with men champions Cameo Sigauke eying another dance at the Zone Six Club Championships.
“We have won this tournament three years in a row and the target is to get to six straight wins. However, we are under no illusions that it’s going to be an easy ride,” said Cameo coach Langton Moyo.
“We have suffered a couple of setbacks during our preparations as both Eric Banda and Agrippa Masvisvi will not be part of the team. Banda is away in South Africa attending to some personal business, while Masvisvi is nursing a shoulder injury,” he said.
Vixens find themselves in a similar predicament as they, too, may be without key players.
“We expect a very tough outing this time around, for not only do we have to contend with the threat Bulawayo Mavericks poses, but might be without key players.
“Rumbidzai Dhliwayo and Sokhulu Melodya are nursing an ankle and knee injuries and may miss the tournament. However, we do have enough cover in their positions, but their experience, especially at this level, will be missed,” said Kelvin Ben, the Vixens manager.
BUZ competitions president Forbes Shuwa expects top level basketball as over 29 clubs vie for the titles as well as the ticket to represent the nation at the Zone Six Club Basketball Champions later this year.
“At least four provinces have confirmed their participation. We are, however, still to hear from Matabeleland North and Masvingo and this may be due to a backlog in fixtures which has been experienced by almost every province in the country.
“That said, we do expect very entertaining and competitive contests, given the amount of close games and upsets that we have witnessed in all the provincial leagues,” said Shuwa.
Due to their exploits at previous tournaments Harare Province have been rewarded with an extra slot and will provide the bulk of the participants to this year’s edition.
The province will be represented by five male and six female teams, while Bulawayo will have eight representatives.
Manicaland has five entries.
Harare province will be represented by seasoned campaigners like JBC and Cameo, who will be joined by team-of-the-moment Mufakose Hustlers in the men’s category.
In the women’s category Vixens, Green Stars and débutantes First Mutual Life have already qualified and will mostly likely be joined by JBC women, Pistons and Cheetahs, provided the trio don’t falter during today’s final match day.
The games have been pencilled for April 3-6 and will be held at Mutare Boys High, Raylton Sports Club and Mutare Girls High.
