Sundaymail Editor
Veronica Gwaze
AGNES CHIROODZA has wasted no time in getting down to business with the Zimbabwe senior netball team and she has made qualification to the 2023 World Cup her main target.
The seasoned umpire was last week appointed manager of the national team.
The Gems would now have to infuse new players following the departure of players such as former skipper Perpetua Siyachitema, goal-shooter Pauline Jani and goalkeeper Rudo Karume, who all retired after the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, England.
They are also now without Alice Tevera, Tafadzwa Mawango, Mercy Mukwadi, Sithembile Chitiva and Beauty Sithole.
“This is part of the strategy – building up for the next World Cup.
“As we pick points at these tournaments to improve our status on INF rankings, we are also looking at a new generation,” she said.
Sinethemba Ncube, Lynnette Tanhira, Nobukhosi and Priscilla Ndlovu, Nokuthula Mbano and Beatrice Busu have been roped in to bolster the squad.
Chiroodza, who was appointed as a replacement for the late Ledwin Dondo, is already in camp with the Gems ahead of the Pent Series and African Championships scheduled for Namibia.
The Pent Series is set to run between October 31 and November 4, while the African Championships are slated for November 9 to November 16.
Despite a seemingly tough task, the 44-year is determined to help revive the team.
“I am so happy and honoured to have been given such a huge position.
“It is something which I have dreamt of for many years.
“I used to camp with the Under-20 Region Five team whenever they were preparing for their games, and it became my dream to manage the senior team one day.
“I know it means I have to work very hard because we have a reputation to uphold, but I am optimistic we will continue climbing up the ladder.
“Personally, I want to make my own history in the netball world and I believe nothing is impossible.” While she remains relatively unfamiliar to many, Chiroodza has been a netball umpire for more than two decades.
She holds a B class officiating qualification, which allows her to handle international games for both the senior and junior age groups.
She is also a fully qualified training and grading umpire for Africa and African tester for the grade C internationals.
A teacher by profession, she also holds several coaching and officiating certificates in volleyball, basketball, athletics, handball and softball.
Gems coach Lloyd Makunde is optimistic of a positive campaign despite the two-year break.
Makunde said his charges are currently focusing on physical fitness and conditioning.
“It feels good to be back after a long break, and putting in the work is what we need to do now.
“Two years is no joke, so it is really a huge task.
“This time we are looking at new faces because some players are gone.
“We had those players for a long time and so we have to build again.
“We have to hit two birds with one stone, which is acquiring points to improve our INF rankings and assembling a powerful team heading into the next World Cup,” said Makunde.
Provisional Squad:
Felisitus Kwangwa (Captain), Claris Kwaramba, Sharon Bwanali, Patricia Malaudi, Queen Sigauke, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Ursula Ndlovu, Progress Moyo, Tafadzwa Matura, Kudakwashe Muchongwe, Tatenda Dziva, Sinethemba Ncube, Lynnette Tanhira, Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Priscilla Ndlovu, Nokuthula Mbano, Beatrice Busu.
Online Reporter