The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
THE Basketball Union of Zimbabwe and French club Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez appeasr headed for a major showdown.
This follows the Ligue Nationale de Basket outfit’s alleged refusal to release Zimbabwean centre Vitalis Chikoko for last weekend’s AfroBasket qualifiers.
BUZ president Addison Chiware said they followed every rule in the book but Chikoko’s club refused to play ball.
“We followed procedure, sent in a request via email and even tried to call the respective authorities at the club but we were unsuccessful,” he said.
BUZ believe the matter was handled in bad faith and have initiated steps to have it tabled before the International Basketball Federation’s sports and competitions organ.
“We have filed a complaint with Fiba and want a thorough investigation into the matter,” said BUZ secretary-general Joe Mujuru. “Let me say this much: we are not out for blood but rather want an explanation. We have very important games coming up in about two weeks, where we travel to South Africa for the AfroBasket play-offs, and we will need all our best players.
“However, if there was any foul play from Vitalis Chikoko’s team, then we will be demanding that they get punished.”
Chikoko was one of four foreign-based players missing when Zimbabwe lost to Mozambique in last weekend’s AfroBasket qualifiers at the City Sports Centre in Harare.
The two met in a two-match series and the visitors won both times, overpowering Zimbabwe 85-65 in the first game before claiming the second one 80-68. Other foreign-based players who were missing in action were Julian Mavunga (Shiga Lakestars, Japan), and Tondi Mushandu and Freddy Manyau Junior (both in the US).
The United States-based duo communicated their unavailability well in advance and cited school commitments, while Mavunga’s request to be released for national team duty did not reach his club in time. Zimbabwe will have another crack at AfroBasket qualification and will face the runners-up of a group that has Angola, Zambia and South Africa.
“It’s a tough position we find ourselves now,” conceded Chiware. “We have to start preparing ourselves for a potential match-up against Angola, Zambia or South Africa.
“The bookmakers have Angola as clear favourites to win the group, and automatically qualify for the finals, leaving Zambia or South Africa in second place.
“If everything goes according to plan, and Angola wins the group, then I fancy our chances against either Zambia or South Africa. We have met them countless times and know what to expect from these two teams.”
