THE name Benjamin Uzoh, is one likely to give Mercenariesā head coach Innocent Sithole a lot of sleepless nights over the next couple of weeks.
Born Benjamin Chukwukelo Uzoh, the 33-year-old Nigerian-American is currently the talk of the region.
Earlier this month, Uzoh single-handedly handed newboys, Cape Town Tigers their first South African National Club Championship.
With that title in the bag, DāTigers have earned the right to represent South Africa at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Zone Six qualifiers on home turf next month.
Cape Town Tigers will duke it out with five others teams from Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Malawi and Zimbabwe for two slots to the next round of qualifiers.
Mercenaries will be representing Zimbabwe, and prior to the draw, the 2019 National Champions already had enough worries on their plate.
Despite the recent return of all sports, the Mutare-based outfit continue to feel the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
āWhile we are glad to be back on the court again, the long lay-off, due to the pandemic, continues to cause us problems,ā said Sithole.
āFitness continues to be a worry, due to the long lay-off.
āThe lessons from the last qualifiers have all been erased, as we couldnāt prepare adequately for the games.
āLast time we went to the games as an all-star team, and paid dearly for it.
āWe lacked adequate preparations, team cohesion and chemistry.
āWe also couldnāt play everybody due to licensing issues.
āAll these issues need time, and we are currently racing against time to put everything in order,ā he said.
The BAL Zone Six qualifiers, originally slated for a fortnight from now, have since been rescheduled to October 23-29, in Cape Town.
The change has both been a good and bad thing for Sithole and his Mercenaries.
āThe games were supposed to be held in Johannesburg in two weeksā time, but have since been moved to the end of October.
āJohannesburg was ideal for us, as we had managed to get assistance from friends and well-wishers there.
āTransport and accommodation were covered, and we could make the trip.
āNow, the change in venue brings with it both positives and negatives.
āWe are currently working at an estimated budget of about US$12 000, and as it stands we are about US$8 000 short.
āAs positives, it gives us time to process the licenses for our new players, work on injuries, diet and fitness issues.
āWe can also work on our team chemistry,ā he said.
Mercenaries have been drawn against Malawiās Brave Hearts, Matero Magic (Zambia), Police Academy and tough proponents Clube FerroviĆ”rio da Beira (Mozambique) and Uzohās Cape Town Tigers.
While Sithole fancies his side against the likes of Matero Magic, Police Academy and Brave Hearts, the Mercenariesā gaffer believes the biggest threats lie with FerroviĆ”rio da Beira and Cape Town Tigers.
āThe Mozambican teams are always the favourites and hence the teams to beat,ā said Sithole.
āHowever, Cape Town Tigers looks to be a good team.
āThere have four Americans on their roaster, with Ben Uzoh clearly the biggest threat.
āI watched him during the Basketball Africa League, and he was one of the best players of the tournament.ā
Founded back in 2019, Cape Town Tigers is run by Severus group, which is a brain-child of American businessman Raphael Edwards.
The ex-basketball trainer from New York, together with his partners, set qualification for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as top priority in their five-year plan to bring about many positive changes in the basketball community on the continent.
The acquisition of Uzoh showed intent on their part, and the Nigerian international rewarded them with the South African National Club Championship.
Now, the Basketball Africa League should be top priority.
Uzoh has already tasted BAL action, having taken part in the tournament earlier this year with Nigeriaās River Hoppers.
Prior to that, the former University of Tulsa star played in 60 NBA games with the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.
He has also played professionally in the G League, as well as having stints in Russia, Belgium, Mexico, France and Nigeria.
