The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Sports Correspondent —
STAR-studded Mercenaries men and Nets ladies’ basketball teams have managed to keep their top positions as the 2016-2017 Manicaland Basketball Association league season comes to an end this weekend.
Manicaland basketball teams will converge at Mutare Boys’ High school tomorrow (Saturday) to witness four male and four female teams battling it out in the final weekend for the league fixtures.
Winners of the final league matches will also secure a place in the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe games to be held later this year.
Dates and venue for BUZ games are yet to be announced.
Eight teams to take part in tomorrow’s games are namely Mercenaries, Dangamvura Knights, Chikanga Hustlaz, Rusape Giants, Titans, Nets, Chiefs and Sixers.
According to Week 16 log standings, Dangamvura Knights is holding the second positions in the male section while AU and Titans are battling for the third positions with the same number of points.
There is however a possibility of AU to scoop the third position because of the number of games it has won, despite the current stiff competition from Titans.
Sharks and MGHS are also on the second and third positions, respectively.
Mutare Basketball Association spokesperson, Taurai Dhliwayo hailed Mercenaries for its effort to secure its position since it was the defending champion after winning in the 2015-2016 MBA league.
“Mercenaries have been setting a good pace ever since last year and chances are 99% that they will lead again this year, looking at its gap from the second position holders. They have done very well. However, the other teams have not lost hope as they kept training harder to secure the remaining positions and keep our league going.
“We are also proud of Nets and other female teams. They are so amazing. This is the first time we’ve had females in the league. Surprisingly Nets also came first at the Unity Day Gala held in Harare, two weeks ago. They have shown what they can do best to all other female teams from all over Zimbabwe. Now we have no doubt that Nets and Mercenaries are going to be part of the BUZ games to be held on dates to be announced, this year,” said Dhliwayo.
He urged basketball fans around Manicaland to come in their numbers and witness and have fun on the last games of this season.
