Mutokambali hails team despite rout in Mozambique

The national team coach Moise Mutokambali has hailed his team despite losing all three games in the Mozambique 38th Independence anniversary tournament.Both teams were using the two-nation tournament as part of their preparations ahead of this year’s 27th African basketball championships scheduled for August 20-31 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.Hosts Mozambique won the first game 70-67 last Monday, the second game 70-57 on Tuesday and the third 88-45 played on Thursday, however, Mutokambali says his inexperienced team has gained something from the tournament.“We used only local players as we were needed to gauge them in an international competition and I hope they have gained some experience from playing in those three games,” he told Saturday Sport yesterday.“But we must be patient, we have a good future with this team, the federation and government need to continue doing everything possible to keep this team together for coming years,” he added.“As a coach, I am satisfied because the team we played against has been competing at a high level for many years, yet for most of our players, it was their first time to play at that level, so by and large, I can’t complain much. The boys gave their all and I must give them credit for doing their best,” he noted.The team will train in Egypt for one week ahead of this year’s 27th African basketball championships.The team will depart on August 1, and will train in Egypt before proceeding to Senegal to take part in a two-day tournament, which will be organised by Senegalese Basketball Federation as part of their preparations for the Afro-basket meet.

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Mutokambali hails team despite rout in Mozambique