POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
STIFF competition awaits the Zimbabwe women basketball team in Algeria who to face continental giants, Nigeria on 12 July in their first match of the All Africa games before clashing with emerging African heavyweights, Senegal the following day.
Zimbabwe qualified into the continental showcase this week after being nominated best zonal runners-up falling to Southern African champions, Mozambique at the Zone Six All Africa games qualifiers held at Harare City Sports centre last month.
Basketball Union of Zimbabwe president, Addison Chiware said the women's game will now move forward with their first ever qualification in the showdown -save for the 1995 Games in which they qualified by virtue of being the host nation.
“This is a high-profile competition where it is an honour to participate, the experience will not only help the technical team but also administrative skills of the game in the country. This is where we have to adapt or die,” declared Chiware.
Last Monday Zimbabwe was drawn in a tough Group B- a possible group of dearth- alongside basketball heavyweights as Mali, Tunisia, Kenya, the defending champions, Nigeria and the FIBA world number 18-ranked Senegal.
Meanwhile, Mozambique women, will sweat for victory against emerging heavyweights, DR Congo, who appear favourites in Group B. Cote d'lvoire, Cameroon, Angola and the hosts nation Algeria also make up the group.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe needs to camp early for a robust physical preparation of such potentially explosive basketball extravaganza if they are to prove a competitive side against the continental basketball champions.
Fixture; 12 July 2007- vs Nigeria
13 July 2007- vs Senegal
14 July 2007-vs Kenya
16 July 2007- vs Mali
17 July 2007- vs Tunisia
