By MWANGALA LISELI –
CHAMPIONS Matero Magic thrashed Napsa Hurricanes 44-26 during the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) opening tournament played at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) in Lusaka.
With the league games set to get underway on May 9th, Magic reminded opponents that they will still be the team to beat as Hurricanes were made to attest on Friday night.
Green Buffaloes picked up a 42-29 win over UNZA Pacers with Matero Magic B beating Lilanda Heats 55-43 while ZCAS Blazers beat Munali Suns 39-24 in the men’s games played.
About 12 teams are expected to compete in the men’s events including the likes of The Hawks, Green Eagles, EHC Nishati Denvers, Jnr NAPSA and Munali Suns.
There was only one game played in the female category on Friday that saw UNZA Honeys beat Buffaloes 56-48. Only three teams will take part in this event with the other side been Hotspurs.
ZBA publicity and fixtures secretary Danny Mwikisa expressed happiness with the way the tournament started and that the winners in both the male and women categories will pocket K3, 000 while the runner ups will get K2, 000.
Meanwhile, national Under-16 boys team coach Paul Mwale has appealed to the ZBA to assist the team get into camp as quickly as possible to start preparations for the Zone Six under 16 African qualifiers.
Mwale said the team was having only one training session a day which was not enough as the players needed to be on camp so that they could maximise on training.
“We need to get into camp soon so that we can be having two or three training sessions a day. We are appealing to the association to quicken the process so that we get into camp as soon as possible,” he said.
Mwale said he has trimmed the team of the boys and girls from 25 to 15 adding that final list of 12 players a week before going for the games which are slated for Botswana from 25 to 30 this month.