Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube In ACCRA, Ghana [email protected]
EIGHT Zimbabwe athletes will take to the track at University of Ghana Sports Complex in the first day of the 2026 Africa Senior Championships.
The team arrived in the West Africa country on Saturday and quickly adjusted to the hot and humid conditions.
Temperatures have been high and persistent rain threats.
The Zimbabwe team trained yesterday morning and the coach Phakamile Lisimati is happy with all his athletes’ readiness.
Methembe Tshuma, Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Ngoni Makusha will take part in the 100m preliminaries. Should they proceed to the semis, they will be in action later in the day.
Samukeliso Ndebele will be in action in the women’s 100m dash in the morning.
Anesu Nyahuma will be among the Zimbabwe contingent in action in the 400m. Her male counterparts who have made a mark, coming fifth in the World Relays’ 4x400m relay, are Thandazani Ndhlovu whose time was 44.71 seconds, Leeford Zuze (44.91) and Dennis Hove (45.00).
National record holder in the 100 hurdles, 400m hurdles and 300m Ashley Miller will take part in the shorter sprint’s preliminary rounds.
There is a lot of expectations on the Southern Africa sprinters after a recent wave of sumptuous results in the sprints and relays. Botswana, South African and Zimbabwean runners have risen to being the athletes to beat globally.
Lisimati said: “The mood in the camp is very, everyone is very happy to be here representing the country.”
The coach expressed confidence in the team.
“My athletes have been working hard to excel,” said Lisimati.
Since the beginning of the year Zimbabwe athletes have been improving their standards. It will not be a fluke if they bring a decent haul of silverware.
The local contingent has quickly built a bond with the guys from the United States of America, Makarawu, Makanakaishe Charamba and Miller.
Team
Men: Leeford Zuze (400m, 4x400m relay), Dennis Hove (400m, 4x400m relay), Thandazani Ndhlovu (400m, 4x400m relay), Gerren Muwishi (400m, 4x400m relay), Derick Matutu (4x400m mixed relay), Methembe Tshuma (200m, 4x100m relay), Tapiwanashe Makarawu (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay), Makanakaishe Charamba (200m,4x100m relay), Ngoni Makusha 100m, 4x100m relay)
Women: Ashley Miller (400mH, 4x400m mixed relay), Samukeliso Ndebele (100m, 200m) Anesu Nyahuma (400m, 4x400m mixed relay).
