Bravehearts takes sweet revenge on Magang’a
Bravehearts men basketball team on Sunday, October 16, 2016 took a sweet revenge on Magang’a when they defeated the Zomba based basketball heavyweights by 70 baskets to 54 during the final of the K1 million basketball tournament organised to celebrate the opening of G.Y Imports & Exports Mzuzu branch.
The tournament, which took place at Katoto Basketball Court attracted four men sides- the Bravehearts from Lilongwe, Magang’a as well as two top Mzuzu sides Nkhulande and Pistons. Lady Bravehearts and Nozobal All Stars, a ladies’ select team from the Northern Zone Basketball League competed in the women section.
Bravehearts booked the final berth in the men tournament after crashing Pistons 85-54 while Magang’a reached the final after beating Nkhulande 72-62.
Magang’a, who recently won the King & Queen of the Court national championship in Lilongwe came into the final with a bang, posting four straight baskets but Bravehearts quickly took over control to lead the first quarter by 22 baskets against 8.
Things turned from bad to worse for Magang’a in the second and third quarters as they trailed their Lilongwe opponents 56-33 before the last quarter.
They tried to stage a come-back in the final quarter but Bravehearts managed to soothe the pressure by slowing down the pace of the game.
Bravehearts’ captain Madalitso Montana Kadiwa described the victory as a sweet revenge following the painful loss suffered by his side at the hands of Magang’a during the semi-finals of the King & Queen of the Courts.
“It has not been an easy victory. Magang’a are a very tough side but we had a good strategy against them today. We are happy to have beaten them and it’s a sweet revenge,” said Montana.
Magang’a’s veteran captain Hope Chisamanga accepted the defeat, saying his team lost the plot in the first quarter.
“Bravehearts were more prepared than us. We lost it in the first quarter after giving away that early lead, which forced us to do the chasing in the subsequent quarters. This is a good wake up call for our team as we go into the championship play-offs for Southern Zone Basketball League,” said Chisamanga.
For winning the tournament, Bravehearts were presented with a trophy and K200,000 by Mzuzu City Mayor Councillor William Mkandawire.
Bravehearts Ladies, who saw off Nozobal All Stars by 69 baskets against 30 in the ladies’ showcase got K175,000.
There were also some prizes for individual brilliance, which saw Bravehearts’ players Patrick Chirwa and Rose Mkanda scooping the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards for men and ladies respectively.
Speaking after presenting the trophies, Councillor Mkandawire hailed G.Y Imports & Exports for sponsoring the tournament.
“It is very pleasing to note that G.Y Imports & Exports is not only interested in doing business here in Mzuzu but is also ploughing back to the community. I hope their coming to Mzuzu will be of great benefit to the youth and the rest of the Mzuzu citizens,” said Mkandawire.
Managing director for the company Griffin Kalua thanked the people of Mzuzu and the entire northern region for the warm welcome and pledged to continue giving back to the society.
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