Online Reporter
Elina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZAMBEZI Eagles side assistant coach Stembile Banda is optimistic about the future following the performances by the Zimbabwean select side at the Telkom Netball League Power Week One and Two in South Africa.
The national select side, sponsored by Nedbank, wrapped up their participation at the TNL games yesterday on a losing note against undefeated Golden Fireballs at Sun City Sun Park, in South Africa.
The Eagles lost 41-50.
It was their last game for Power Week Two and for the tournament.
They competed in Power Week One from April 26 to May 4 and were back in action at Power Week Two from last Friday to yesterday.
It was a bag of mixed fortunes, winning some matches and losing some in both the first and second week. In an interview with SuperSport, Banda acknowledged coaches working with the players at the different clubs and believes together they can achieve more.
“Let me take this time to appreciate South Africa, the fans and the association itself.
“Thank you very much from deep within our hearts. Thank you very much for raising Africa’s flag. Thank you very much for accommodating us.
“And hopefully in the future, it won’t be just us. It will be many of us African teams.
“We have our coaches back home there. Oh, we are very proud of you. Look at our team.
“If we work together in terms of uplifting and developing the girl child, tomorrow we will know that it will be the best team ever,” said Banda.
The Zambezi Eagles’ participation was in the form of friendly games following the acceptance of the Zimbabwe Netball Association’s request by Netball South Africa to be part of the games.
The South African clubs are battling it out for silverware and will be back for the final leg, Power Week Three, in July to determine the champions.
ZINA have indicated the ultimate goal is to make the 2027 World Cup. The select side is aimed at building a strong national team for that.
In the first leg they won four matches and lost an equal number of games.
They then won one of the three matches during Power Week Two which ran from last Friday to yesterday.
The Eagles had hoped to carry the momentum from their last game when they beat North West Flames on Saturday to end on a high note.
But it was a different story and had a slow start yesterday in a game.
The Fireballs took the lead from the outset and were 15-9 up in the first quarter.
They maintained the six-goal lead in the second and third quarters as they were more clinical compared to their opponents.
The South Africans stretched their lead in the last quarter to win the match 50-41 and complete a double over the Eagles.
Banda conceded defeat and said they had given their best.
“Unfortunately for today, we had a lot of scoring opportunities but it wasn’t our day. We failed to utilise the scoring opportunities. We had a lot of unforced errors on our part.
“We weren’t that clinical.
“I would love to say that the girls, they put all their hearts into it, to be able to tell that there’s improvement even physically. They are there mentally.
“I am proud of the girls. They did well. They played as a team.
“The defence was solid today. Though we had our own errors,” said Banda.
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