Lady Dynamites title defence on track
Lady Dynamites on Easter Monday launched their title defence on high as they collected full points in their Central Zone Basketball (Cezobal) women’s league opener.
The champions, inspired by Linda Magombo-Munthali who plays for Complex Tigresses netball team, thrashed Lady Angels 49-34 at Civo Court.
Munthali posted the highest points, 18, followed by Towera Ndovie on 12 points.
This is the first defeat for the league debutants, Angels. They won their opener 41-18 against Lady Buccs, last week.
Dynamites’ mission was on track as they led in the first three quarters, which they won 16-7, 31-17 and 41-22 respectively.
In the last quarter, they met confrontation when Angels, who featured Gertrude Mwandira who plays for Civonets, introduced Maria Gama.
Gama, who also plays women football for Skippers Senior FC, caused havoc to Dynamites’ defence.
Gama, who registered the only three-pointer of the game, partnered well with Ester Mfune and managed to conquer the quarter 12-8, but it was too little, too late to offset the deficit.
Angels coach Chris Dzikolidaya attributed the loss to the absence of some of their players.
“We failed to assemble a good team because some players had personal commitments. We had to use the crop that we had,” said Dzikolidaya.
He said his target is to finish in the top four to qualify for play-offs.
Dynamites coach, Masoni Phiri, said despite the victory, his team has a lot of work to do to retain the title.
“We did not play good basketball befitting the champions, but we are grateful to have won the game. We have some lapses which will be electrified. As of now, it is too early to commit that we will retain the title, but it is our wish,” said Phiri.
