Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Ellina Mhlanga
10 November 2009
Harare — ZIMBABWE's representatives in the Zone VI Men's Club Basketball Championships Raiders won their first match of the tournament when they beat LCC Looters from Zambia 83-59 yesterday at the City Sports Centre.
The championships are acting as qualifiers for the African Clubs Basketball Championships finals.
Raiders dominated the first quarter of the game leading 26-14 and in the second quarter both teams had 17 points.
However in the third quarter Zimbabwe's representatives came back a rejuvenated side dominating the last two quarters leading 19-11 in the third quarter and 21-17 in the fourth quarter to complete their victory.
Tatenda Maturura was the star for Raiders as he led his team to victory scoring 32 points while Tinashe Muchenje and Taurai Chitsinde weighed in with 13 and 10 points respectively.
Although Raiders won yesterday's match they are already out of the race for the African clubs basketball championships finals as they had already lost three matches in the tournament.
Raiders lost their opening match to Ferroviario De Maputo of Mozambique 51-58 before losing to fellow Zimbabweans JBC who beat them 73-64.
In their third match they also found the going tough when being thrashed 47-90 by ASA from Angola.
Raiders coach Ngoni Mukukula said the championships provided them with the platform to gain experience as they competed with some of the best teams in Africa.
"We may lose the games but we are not losing lessons from this tournament.
"The championships are valuable for us to gain experience so that we can build from there," said Mukukula.
Mukukula was satisfied with his team's performance considering that there is tough competition in the tournament.
"The guys were able to perform and it was important for us to have a win in this tournament, however our first game was the best because the guys played beyond themselves.
"Our regret is on our second game against JBC we did not rise up to the occasion and our opponents were more spirited and they had a better day," said Mukukula.
Zimbabwe's hopes of qualifying for the African championships now lies with JBC whom have so far won two matches and lost one match and they still three games to go.
They won their first match against LCC Looters 81-67 and proceeded to beat Raiders before they were thumped by Petro Athletico De Luanda of Angola 44-106. Seven clubs are competing in the championships, defending champions Primeiro De Agosto, Petro Athletico and ASA from Angola, LCC Looters and Lusaka Looters from Zambia, Ferroviario De Maputo from Mozambique, Raiders and JBC from Zimbabwe.
Other results
Primeiro De Agosto 91, ASA 57; JBC 81, LCC Looters 67; ASA 111, LCC Looters 48; Ferroviario De Maputo 56, Petro Athletico De Luanda83; Lusaka Looters 38, Primeiro De Agosto145.
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