South Africa: Starting campaign on positive note

From allafrica.com
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South Africa started their campaign for the 2007 All Africa Games and Africa Nations Cup slots on a positive note yesterday as both teams registered victories at the Zone Six Fiba basketball championships in Harare.

The men's side beat Malawi 108-44 while their female counterparts dismissed Zambia 105-69 at the City Sports Centre.

The women's side were the first to take to the court and they made light work of the Zambians while their male colleagues were also in top form.

Zambia are yet to win a match following an earlier 105-69 defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe.
This means that Zambia's hopes are all but over, as they now have to win their remaining two matches and at the same time hoping that the other teams fail to win.

Meanwhile, Norest Shenje and Tafireyi Soko were in top form for Zimbabwe on the opening day of the games on Tuesday as they guided Zimbabwe to a 101-35 drubbing of Malawi.

The Ronald Garura-coached side had no time to waste and took every chance that came their way and made the best out of it.

Shenje, who is in top form even in the domestic league games, justified his inclusion in the Zimbabwe final 12 with 18 points.

Tafirenyika Soko - who also plies his trade in the Harare Basketball League -- was not to be left out and also weighed in with 18 points while former Kango Giants player Erick Banda added a worthwhile 16 points.

Having beaten Malawi on Tuesday night, Zimbabwe were scheduled to play their northern rivals last night.

Mozambique women produced a shocker when they beat Angola 58-53 in their opening game.

Angola are one of the top basketball playing nations in Africa together with Nigeria and not many were expecting Mozambique to win.

Results
Men: Zambia 70, Mozambique 75; Zimbabwe 101, Malawi 35.
Women: Zimbabwe 93, Zambia 25; Angola 53, Mozambique 58; Zambia 69, South Africa