ZIM - Despite record loss, Zimbabwe happy to soak up experience in Maputo

MAPUTO (AfroBasket Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Despite registering their biggest margin of defeat (89 points) against Mozambique at AfroBasket Women 2013 on Sunday, Zimbabwe is a happy team.

Their chances of securing one of the two places for African teams to qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women are very remote and their main objective at the tournament in Mozambique's capital of Maputo is no more than to make the most of the experience.

With two games under their belt, Zimbabwe's struggles are quite evident. They lost 73-66 to Algeria and Mozambique having registered only 2.5 assists per game.

Zimbabwe made their debut in the competition a day late because of their late arrival.

Head coach Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu could not be more realistic about his team's chances in Group A.

"It will be very difficult to say how far we can go," he said.

"When we came here, we knew it was going to be very tough playing against Mozambique, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire. They are very experienced compared to us. We thought about our chances against Algeria and Egypt," he explained.

On Sunday, Zimbabwe lost 117-28 to Mozambique, a result that exposed the limitations of Ndlovu's team.

"They were much better than us, especially they complement each other extremely well," he said.

"We did what we could but our transition was slow.

"This is the first time we are coming to the AfroBasket, it is a learning process. We'll do much better than what we have done today.

"Against Algeria we could have come with a good result if it was not about our late arrival.

"We take the joy of taking part in the tournament," he pointed out.

Ndlovu is aware that, had Zimbabwe been able to select USA-based Alexandra Maseko and South-Africa based Rachel Makoni, they would have become more competitive.

"Alexandra Maseko could not come because there were some complications. She started up her masters. It was difficult for us to take her out at that moment. We know she was willing to come," he explained.

"We decided to go and participate, and give a chance to other players.

"Rachel Makoni could not because of her studies in South Africa."

Zimbabwe will take on Senegal, Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire in their remaining Group A games from Monday to Wednesday.

For full and in-depth coverage of AfroBasket Women 2013, go to the official website http://maputo2013.fibaafrica.com.

FIBA