Hosts Zimbabwe found the going tough against Mozambique again when they lost 58-62 to their rivals in a tightly contested FIBA African Zone Six Boys’ Under-18 basketball championships qualifier at the City Sports Centre yesterday.
Zimbabwe put up a brave fight but it was Mozambique who proved to be the better team of the day as they won the game by four points.
Mozambique who came in as the favourites led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter but it remained a game of end to end action with the hosts reducing the deficit to a point when trailing 28-29 in the second quarter.
But the Mozambicans ensured they remained in control of the game with Francisco Braga inspiring his team to victory when top-scoring with 11 points.
Braga was not short of support with Marcolino Cotela and Reni Mahuse weighing in with nine points each.
Zimbabwe’s power forward, Simba Chitsungwe top scored for his side with 17 points while Kudzanai Muguti contributed 14 and Tafadzwa Gonyora had 10 points.
Zimbabwe’s boys were set to play Malawi late yesterday.
The games continue today with Zimbabwe taking on Mozambique at 6pm in a must win encounter that will decide who progresses to the FIBA finals in Rwanda.
Zimbabwe coach Laddie Munetsi applauded his charges for putting up a good fight against their opponents and insisted that there was still hope for the boys since they lost with a small margin.
"The guys played well, they managed to contain the opponents in the first three quarters and we are going to do our best tomorrow (today)," said Munetsi.
Zimbabwe captain Munyaradzi Gonese also has high hopes ahead of today’s decisive match.
While the boys were left to fight another day, the girls’ team bowed out of the FIBA finals after they went down to Angola 44-83 in their second match.
The girls lost their first match 38-90 against the Angolans on Monday.
There were only two teams in the Girl’s category.
In yesterday’s match Angola dominated all the quarters leading the first quarter 18-13 and 38-24 in the second quarter.
They continued with their dominance winning the third and fourth quarter beating the hosts 83-44.
Merciana Fernandes led her team to victory as she scored 19 points while Mavuba Mirelle came in with 10 points and Analziro Americo and Helena Francisco weighed in with 8 points each.
For the Zimbabwean team, captain Sharon Chamwarura tried to rally her troops, scoring with 16 points, while Sharon Moyo, Nyasha Makore and Minenhle Moyo scored seven points each.
Zimbabwe’s girls’ coach Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu was satisfied his team’s performance despite the defeat.
"In terms of performance the girls played much better.
"We did not win the game but we did well.
"There was a general improvement today, however, Angola took their chances," said Ndlovu.
His counterpart Gildo Lopes noted that Zimbabwe had played well despite ending up the losers.
"Today the game was a little bit different, the defence was different from what they usually use.
Zimbabwe are at a stage of learning and if they continue they will be a better team," said Lopes.