Zimbabwe's senior men's national team (ZIM)
HARARE (AfroBasket 2015) - Zimbabwe beat neighbouring Zambia twice last weekend in their capital city of Harare and the team's head coach Ellery Pinkerton has trimmed his squad to 14 players for the upcoming AfroBasket 2015.
Pinkerton will blend young and more senior players together as they travel to Hamburg, Germany, on Friday for the remainder of their training camp.
HARARE (AfroBasket 2015) - Zimbabwe beat neighbouring Zambia twice last weekend in their capital city of Harare and the team's head coach Ellery Pinkerton has trimmed his squad to 14 players for the upcoming AfroBasket 2015.
Pinkerton will blend young and more senior players together as they travel to Hamburg, Germany, on Friday for the remainder of their training camp.
Over the course of the past few months the coach worked with 20 players, prioritising a team effort mindset as a way to overcome tougher and "more experienced opponents."
Among Pinkerton's selections are captain Taurai Chitsinde, his brother Tawanda as well as rising stars Tinotenda Mugabe and Everisto Pasipamire.
Vitalis Chikoko, who played last season for Pallacanestro Reggiana in Italy's top flight Lega Basket Serie A, is also included in the squad.
Zimbabwe will make their debut at Africa's flagship event and face Algeria, Cape Verde and Cote d'Ivoire in Group D.
Talking to the local press, Pinkerton opened up about his team quality and competitiveness.
"Everyone has a role to play as well as compliment the other players weaknesses," he said.
"When President [of the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe] Addison [Chiware] came up with the idea of me coaching, he wanted me to add some of the old school flavour I grew up playing with.
"I want to encourage the team to work as a unit and not try to be the star of the game."
We worked hard as a team and hope to do far much better since we will be facing more experienced teams. - Pinkerton
"I also believe these guys will understand the notion of representing the nation and especially Southern Africa at the games.
"That alone should be enough motivation to fight like never before. I have shown faith in them and I believe they will see the importance," he said.
Chitsinde seconded Pinkerton's words.
"We also need to stay focused on our goal and not get cocky over just one win [against Zambia], we still have the tournament to play," he said.
"I am pleased with our performance but still have a lot of work to put in before we can be ready to tackle AfroBasket."
Zimbabwe preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Eric Banda, Vitalis Chikoko, Taurai Chitsinde, Tawanda Chitsinde, Neville Chivhangane, Brian Hoke, Tatenda Maturure, Agrippa Masvisvi, Tinotenda Mugabe, Simba Mungombedzi, Moses Muyambo, Nyasha Ngove, Everisto Pasipamire and Duncan Shenje.
Among Pinkerton's selections are captain Taurai Chitsinde, his brother Tawanda as well as rising stars Tinotenda Mugabe and Everisto Pasipamire.
Vitalis Chikoko, who played last season for Pallacanestro Reggiana in Italy's top flight Lega Basket Serie A, is also included in the squad.
Zimbabwe will make their debut at Africa's flagship event and face Algeria, Cape Verde and Cote d'Ivoire in Group D.
Talking to the local press, Pinkerton opened up about his team quality and competitiveness.
"Everyone has a role to play as well as compliment the other players weaknesses," he said.
"When President [of the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe] Addison [Chiware] came up with the idea of me coaching, he wanted me to add some of the old school flavour I grew up playing with.
"I want to encourage the team to work as a unit and not try to be the star of the game."
We worked hard as a team and hope to do far much better since we will be facing more experienced teams. - Pinkerton
"I also believe these guys will understand the notion of representing the nation and especially Southern Africa at the games.
"That alone should be enough motivation to fight like never before. I have shown faith in them and I believe they will see the importance," he said.
Chitsinde seconded Pinkerton's words.
"We also need to stay focused on our goal and not get cocky over just one win [against Zambia], we still have the tournament to play," he said.
"I am pleased with our performance but still have a lot of work to put in before we can be ready to tackle AfroBasket."
Zimbabwe preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Eric Banda, Vitalis Chikoko, Taurai Chitsinde, Tawanda Chitsinde, Neville Chivhangane, Brian Hoke, Tatenda Maturure, Agrippa Masvisvi, Tinotenda Mugabe, Simba Mungombedzi, Moses Muyambo, Nyasha Ngove, Everisto Pasipamire and Duncan Shenje.
By: FIBA.com
RSS Feed