Written by Mphatso Malidadi
Zomba based Magang’a have retained the Southern Zone Basketball League championship for the second successive time.
Magang’a were declared champions after strongest and closest title contenders Bricks forfeited points for their two games.
Bricks were scheduled to date Bangwe Bucks and Crazy Warriors over the weekend but the side failed to report for the matches due to what the club described as ‘pressing issues’.
Following the development, Magang’a have finished the season with 27 points from 14 games while Bricks concluded the season with 23 points. Bricks could have clinched the championship had they won the games which they forfeited points.
Magang’a senior player Emmanuel Kambale said they were happy to have defended the championship.
“We have been progressing since the formation of the team in 2005. We will continue working hard to impress at national championship,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bricks senior player Victor Jere said they failed to raise a team.
“We failed to raise a team because a number of our players travelled to Lilongwe to attend an urgent function. Our plans to raise a team on Saturday also suffered a setback after one of our players (Chopa Mkandawire) was hospitalised,” he said.
Jere said they could have complained to Sozobal to consider postponing the games but decided otherwise.
“We felt that the league had already delayed and there was no need to cause further delays,” he said.