Written by Mphatso Malidadi
National basketball team coach Mike Fluech is unaware what sort of opposition his charges would meet during the Afro-Basketball championship slated for University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Fluech has named a 12-member squad for the competition to run from January 9-15. Malawi national basketball team is expected to leave Thursday by bus.
Africa super powers Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia are among southern African countries expected to compete in the championship.
However, the coach admitted that he did not know how his opponents play.
“But this should not be a cause of concern because it will not change anything. My players will play according to our game plan,” he said.
Fluech said his charges underwent successful training and he was optimistic that the team would do well.
“I think we have devised every good system. We will use up tempo fast offence to get easy baskets and we will also use high pressure defence to force our opponents to commit errors,” he said.
Fluech has included last minute inclusion in the squad Richard Chavula in his squad which also consists of Hope Chisamanga and Chimwemwe Mulaga.
Other players travelling to South Africa are Jeff Kumwenda, Albert Simango, Vincent Mbeule Ngosi, Mphatso Zilemba, Henry Mwalwanda, Mtende Nzunda, Takondwa Mengezi, Nelson Kanyenda and Mwansoni Phiri.
Fluech was assisted by two other coaches including Dean Lungu jnr. Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) vice president Jacob Chikoya is expected to travel with the team.