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Shingi Mugabe Sports reporter
ZIMBABWE senior men’s basketball team coach Ellery Pinkerton has named a strong squad for the Afro basketball finals Tunisia at the end of this month.

The 14-member squad was selected after completing a convincing double over Zambia (75-69 on Saturday and 82-67 on Sunday) in international friendlies at the City Sports Centre.

“When the president of the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe came up with the idea of me coaching the national side, he wanted me to add some of the old school flavour,” said Pinkertton. “I want to encourage the team to work as a unit and not try to be the star of the game. Everyone has a role to play as well as compliment the other players’ weaknesses.”

Pinkerton this time went for experience with the inclusion of skipper Taurai Chitsinde, his brother Tawanda and Eric Banda while also rewarding youthful stars such as Tinotenda Mugabe and Everisto Pasipamire for their impressive performances so far.

Zimbabwe’s top player Vitalis Chikoko, who plays for Pallacanestro Reggiana in Italy’s top flight Lega Basket Serie A, is also part of the squad.

“My team played well over the weekend and we won a double over Zambia on Saturday and Sunday. This is our first time to qualify, so it is a big achievement for us and I was using the matches for international exposure. I also wanted the tie to help me finalise my team of which I did,” Chitsinde said.

Zimbabwe has been drawn in Group D at the Afro-Basketball Championship finals together with Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria and the Cape Verde.

FINAL SQUAD

Everisto Pasipamire, Tawanda Chitsinde, Taurai Chitsinde, Nyasha Ngove, Tinotenda Mugabe, Simba Mungombedzi, Vitalis Chikoko, Brian Hoke, Agrippa Masvisvi, Moses Muyambo, Eric Banda, Duncan Shenje, Tatenda Maturure and Neville Chivhangane.