The Sunday Mail
TATENDA MATURURE is bossing the court in the Harare Basketball League as City Hornets make a mockery of their debutant status.
The municipal side finished the first half of the season unbeaten with coach Talent Marembe suggesting that the form of his “scoring machine” has been key to the good run.
“Maturure is a scoring machine, he works hard. I see him going places if he keeps working hard,” said Marembe.
Maturure averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals a game during the first 11 games of the season.
“It has been a great start to season because we haven’t lost. There is nothing any player would want more than to be on top of the league. Hopefully we will finish the season on a high,” said Maturure.
The 26 year old forward wants more when the season resumes during the second week of January.
“You need to put extra work, it helps you stay focused and in shape, basically hitting the gym and doing shootouts. It’s all about hard work and dedication,” said the player who grew up in Harare’s Dzivarasekwa suburb.
Maturure has three national team caps to his and is determined to add more as he pursues his European move dream.
“I still feel I can dominate in the squad,” he said.
“I have played three times for the national team including at the highest level at the Afro Basket tournament. My biggest dream is to play in top European leagues.”
The man who unearthed Maturure, Ngoni Mukukula, rates the City Hornets forward highly.
“He is doing very well for Hornets. He is one, if not the best talents we have at the moment. He is always tough to guard because of his athleticism and fine finishing. His game is unequaled,” said the Raiderz coach.
Mukukula, however, notes that Maturure needs to back up his talent with serious work.
“He needs to continue working on his jump shot to complement the inside game. Whenever he is outside he is failing. But that is something that can be worked on,” he said.
