Stanbic-JBC clash in women's decider.....Week 20

Sibongile Mkandla

Stanbic Mavericks sit ontop of the women's table ahead of JBC and Varsity Leopards, but only because they have played more games. Their 2 defeats are at the hands of JBC and Varsity Leopards women. Luckily for them JBC and Varsity Leopards did not show up for a fixture and forfeited points. Now all three teams are sitting on '2 defeats'. So every game that these 3 teams meet becomes a possible championship decider. For both teams this game could not have come at a worse moment. Stanbic are without the services of mercurial guard and Zimbabwe National Team player Margaret Magwaro (168-G-83) who is back in school in RSA. JBC have themselves lost what would have been my pick of MVP for the season Sibongile Mkandla (181-C-86) who has returned home to Bulawayo on personal matters and Fadzai Mabasa (170-G-83) who is back in school in RSA. For Stanbic the loss is devastating as they do not have the depth of players that the star-studded JBC team has. Stanbic coach Spencer Nyamadzawo was literary running on 5 players and further handicap to bigman Aisha Tsimba has not helped his cause. Nyamadzawo will have to recall Avril Mhembere last year's runner up to Miss Tourism and point guard Regina Chisale if he harbours any hopes of winning. JBC coach Adison 'Supi' Chiware has the luxury of just inserting Anne-Joyce 'Jordan' Muchenu into Mnkandla's centre position and his team won't miss a bit. Strength of character will be the determining factor on who wins although on paper Stanbic does not stand a chance.