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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe senior men’s basketball team think-tank will give Robert Mugabe Junior a national team call-up if they qualify for the Afro-Basketball and All- Africa Games that will be held in Tunisia and Congo-Brazzaville respectively. Robert Jnr, son to President Mugabe, is a known basketball player and has previously represented the country in the Under-18 team.

He is studying in the Philippines where he is also playing basketball.

The senior men’s coach Elren Pinkerton made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon after seeing his charges complete a double over Seychelles to keep alive their hopes of qualifying. Zimbabwe beat the Seychelles 63-62 to temporarily shoot to the top of the tables.

“We’re using our locally based players here but once we qualify, which I remain sure we will, our overseas based players, including Robert Jnr will be called up. We will be sending a call-up letter to him (Robert Jnr) soon because he is an undoubtedly talented youngster,” said Pinkerton.

Zimbabwe today takes on continental heavyweights Angola and wrap up their campaign with a showdown against South Africa, a team Pinkerton said they needed to beat by at least 10 points.

In 2012, Robert Jnr came close to being drafted into one of the biggest basketball leagues in the world, the National Basketball Association of the US after he featured in a Zimbabwe select team that played against American And 1 streetball superstars.

Media reports then said after the game, there was a general consensus among the watching public that Robert jnr has what it takes.

Zimbabwe All-Star coach Kelvin Ben told reporters that Robert Jnr was a rare talent.

“Robert Junior is a top-class talent. Not many players of his age can do the amazing things he does,” Ben was quoted as saying then.