HARARE - Harare City Hornets coach Langton Moyo has praised his team’s character after winning the inaugural Harare Mayor’s International Basketball challenge over the weekend.
Hornets were crowned champions after beating Zambian side Looters 53-36 in the final of a tournament that saw over 30 teams from across the region take part.
And for their efforts the reigning national basketball champions went home $3 000 richer while Looters pocketed $1 500 with Mutare-based Mercenaries, who won the bronze medal, pocketing $750 for their efforts.
It was a statement of intent by City Hornets, who also secured a silver medal at the Swaziland International Invitational Basketball tournament last month after losing 65-53 to Jozi Nuggets in the final.
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Moyo said he was ecstatic with the performance highlighted by a wide spread of contributions.
“It was a tough tournament but the guys showed a lot of character to emerge victorious. The guys did live up to expectations,” Moyo told the Daily News.
“Remember there were teams from the region, so for us it helped gauge our progress, especially as we begin preparations for the club championships to be held in Gaborone, Botswana next month.
“For us, I think it was good preparation because we are already looking forward to the club championships.
“We now know the areas that we need to improve on to ensure we will be competitive enough when we go to Botswana next month.”
On their way to the final, Hornets beat Central Knights of Malawi 40-21 in the quarter-finals before edging Mercenaries 47-34 in the semi-finals.
In the girls’ category, Hornets ladies failed to emulate their male counterparts as Namibian side Weekend Squad walked away with the title after dismissing Brave Heats of Malawi in the final.
The tournament is the brainchild of Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni and teams from South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Swaziland among others battled it out in the competition which was being sponsored to the tune of $11 450.
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