Bravehearts lose to Zim ladies’ champs in finals
After eclipsing the might of some top Zimbabwean basketball teams, Bravehearts Ladies on Sunday when lost to Vixens 48-31 in the finals of the Vixens Annual Invitational Basketball Tournament.
Despite going down by a 17-basket margin, the visiting Malawian side was a revelation at the three-day tournament staged at Doom Belvedere College’s Sports Complex in Harare.
The eventual winners in ladies’ category, Vixens, are also the reigning Zimbabwe national club champions.
To qualify for the finals, Bravehearts ladies beat CUT-W (42-10), University of Zimbabwe (36-29) on Saturday before seeing off Green Stars 50-17.
Bravehearts men’s team lost 37-34 to Hustlers in the quarter-finals.
Speaking in an interview from Harare yesterday, Bravehearts patron Griffin Kalua said he was impressed with both teams’ performance.
“We were up against established teams here and to make it that far demonstrates the progress we are making.
“Honestly, I did not expect the kind of performance our ladies side put up and it was expected that they would lose to Vixens because of the gap in terms of class and exposure, but we are getting there,” he said.
Kalua also pledged continued sponsorship through his company G.Y. Imports and Exports.
“The aim of taking part in such tournaments is to accord the players international exposure,” he said.
