6 days ago
University of Zululand basketball team excels in national comp
The Unizulu men's basketball team made its presence felt at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament, hosted at Wits University in Gauteng last week.
Unizulu competed in Section C, with the top two teams promoted to Section B. The squad defied expectations with an impressive run, finishing runners-up and securing their place in the higher division.
Here, they dominated opponents such as Durban University of Technology (DUT), University of Fort Hare, Sol Plaatje University, and the University of Limpopo, winning all four games to top their pool.
In the knockout stages, they faced Nelson Mandela University, the second seed from Pool A, which included North West University-Potchefstroom (NWU-Potch), North West University-Mafikeng, Belgium Campus, and the University of Mpumalanga.
Unizulu triumphed, setting up an exciting all-KZN final against DUT which had upset the top-seeded NWU-Potch in their semi-final.
The championship match was closely contested, with Unizulu fighting back from an 11-point deficit in the first quarter to level the game at 47-47 before the fourth.
However, DUT held their nerve, winning 53-49 to claim the title.
Despite their defeat, Unizulu's second-place finish means they will advance to Section B, marking a historic achievement for the university in USSA basketball.
The team's performance also saw Felix Silwimba, the squad's point guard, and Chris Nyadawo, the forward, selected for the all-star team of Section C of the USSA competition.
Meanwhile, Ivy Zondo from the women's team was also chosen as an all-star, signalling a successful sporting year for Unizulu's basketball teams.
Head coach Harris Maduku expressed pride in the team's achievement.
'Given the challenges we've faced over the years, this is a huge milestone. 'Nobody expected us to reach the finals, but the players showed heart and determination,' he said.
As Unizulu prepares for its Section B debut in 2026, the future appears promising for the rising basketball programme.
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