Botswana fails to qualify for the Afro Basket tourney
Dumisani Ncube | Monday June 1, 2015 15:54
Botswana teams played four games each in their respective categories and lost all the matches leaving them at the bottom of the logs with four points each. The South Africa boys and Zimbabwe girls teams qualified for the Afro Basket tournament. In the closing match of the tournament, Botswana Under-16 boys played Zambia where they lost 122- 12. Botswana tried by all means to stage a good fight, but Zambia were too strong as they sliced through the weak Botswana defence to score. The Zambian attacking system, which comprised of Patrick Zulu and Laston Jamakaza troubled Botswana’s Lekau Matshaba who was left alone at the back while his team mates were trying to penetrate upfront. Skillful Ashante, Puso who was the outstanding Botswana player, lacked good partnership upfront that could have helped him get more scores but he managed to stage a one-man fight through the Zambian defence and got few scores. The first half ended with Zambia leading 56-6. In the second half, Botswana came fired up with new combinations of Tumani Masole and Bojelo Tiroyakgosi teaming up to help their team come back. The duo combined well, but they failed to score as the tall Zambian defence system overpowered them. After studying the Botswana game plan, Zambia strengthened from a time out session as Philip Simphasa came with a three pointer that increased Zambia’s score. After the three pointer a furious Tumani Masole sliced through the tough Zambia defence, but was fouled before he could get a shot. He was then given two shots and managed to get a score while he missed the other as Botswana trailed 88-10. In a bid to get more scores, Botswana formed an attacking system that, however, left them exposed at the back. Zambia took advantage and scored more points to increase their tally. In the last quarter of the match, both teams played a solid attacking game but Zambia remained the favourites as they finished the game as leaders. It ended 122- 12. After the match, Botswana coach Ketlwaelo Rahube said despite the loss his players played well but needed to be more aggressive. He further stated that basketball grassroots development programmes should start at primary school level so that players grow up with the game in mind. Teams: Botswana: Ashante Puso, Tumani Masole, Bojelo Tiroyakgosi, Lekau Matshaba, Bakang Pilane, Jardin Ormar, Leiste Mtonga, Masie Dimpho, Tumelo Bowie Zambia: Nalumino Lienda, Michael Hazemba, Paul Simfukwe, Wamulundi Simwinga, Jeremiah Sakala, Noah Kabwe, Patrick Zulu, Edward Chaibela, Hlabeza Zulu, Obert Musongo, Philip Simpasa, Laston Jamakala