By 
Zimbabwe stunned regional powerhouse Mozambique 71-57 to win their first game of the 2023 FIBA Africa Zone qualifier currently underway in Bulawayo.
France based center Vitalis Chikoko,played an instrumental role in Zimbabwe’s victory by scoring 20 of his side’s 71 points, to ensure a famous victory for Zimbabwe.
Kicking off at high speed, the first quarter was the most prolific in the game. It saw the two teams finish 20-18, with Zimbabwe claiming a two-point advantage. At the end of the second quarter, they were still leading (34-31).
In the third quarter, they kept going, adding another 19 points to their total, while it seemed that Mozambique have lost all sense of attacking, scoring only 10 points. Chikoko and company maintained the efforts till the end of the game, finishing the fourth quarter 18-16.
Looking at some figures, Zimbabwe built up their success by scoring from turnovers (15 points), while Mozambique only scored 4 from the same. They have also been more aggressive in the paint, netting 44 points, while Pio Matos and others only scored 28 points.
Alongside Chikoko, the combined efforts of Junior Mutongoza (9 points, 1 rebound), Tatenda Muturure (8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal), Noah Pendukah (7 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal), and Tatenda Tswatswa (8 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists), helped Zimbabwe in repeating their 2019 feat.
This crucial win over Mozambique sees Zimbabwe top the men’s standing ahead of their clash against Zambia on Wednesday. They will, however, have to be cautious as they advance if they wish to make it to the FIBA AfroCan in July
Comments