The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
NOW that Innocent Sithole has had his first taste of elite level basketball, the Mercenaries head coach wants more.
His second chance in the big league could come earlier than he anticipated.
The Mutare-based club recently returned from their sojourn at the Africa Basketball League qualifiers, where they won three group games and lost two, to finish in a commendable third place with eight points behind Ferroviario Maputo (10) and University of Zambia Pacers (9).
Mercenaries finished with the best average.
The other two third-placed teams were J.K.T and Cobra.
Mercenaries have since approached FIBA Africa and are now favourites to earn one of the wildcard entries into the next phase of the competition.
“There are at least four available wildcard entries into the next phase and we have since approached FIBA Africa and availed ourselves for consideration.
“lt seems to have made some sort of impact, given that we had a better average than the other third-placed teams, with the mother body going as far as contacting the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe to find out more about us.
“We are confident that we will get that slot. We might know as early as Monday (tomorrow), given that some of the groups played their games late,” he said.
Sithole said his team is patiently waiting for FIBA Africa’s verdict, after which they will make their next move.
“lf we get the wildcard entry, we will start camp for the Rwanda leg of the qualifiers as early as next week.
“I also hope to add one or two more players in the centre, where we should welcome the return of Everisto Pasipamire who missed the competition after we failed to process his papers on time.
“He will need cover too, and maybe a guard or two.
“Should we fail to get the wildcard, we are currently in the process of finalising our action plan for the season, as well as working towards winning the national league,” he said.
But, whether the wildcard entry comes or does not come, the Mercenaries coach is grateful for the opportunity that saw them competing at the tournament. He said they learnt a lot and acquired valuable experience.
“Overall, I think we played very well. If I’m to be totally honest, I think we probably deserved a better finish than the third place,” said Sithole.
“In the all-important match against the University of Zambia Pacers, we were guilty of way too many schoolboy errors, even going as far as letting go of a 17-point lead and then losing the game in overtime.
“That game destroyed the team morale and confidence and we were duly punished in the second game against Ferroviario Maputo.
“That said, the tournament was not without its merits, as it was an eye-opening experience.
“We learnt a lot on the importance of adequate preparations, the right frame of mind required to play at this level and most importantly the need to bring on other partners into this initiative.
“We need the input of sponsors, administrators, coaches and the players.
“Resources are also very important. Namibia and Botswana did better than they should have, all because they were well-funded going into the competition,” he said.
