adminPhiri suddenly fell ill and was rushed to Hwange Colliery Hospital just before half time.
She however downplayed rumours that the tension of the match could have affected her.
The game involving the two teams degenerated into a volatile affair.
ZPC Hwange are believed to have lured some of the colliery’s key players to their team at the start of the season which prompted an unending war of words.
Tuesday’s game was more of a grudge match as the two teams decided to take their fight to another level.
Each team wanted to win the bragging rights but the brawling girls could not be separated after full time as the game ended in a 26-26 stalemate.
According to Phiri, she was hospitalised for high blood pressure.
She said one of her sons was involved in a car accident the previous day which claimed two lives and as a mother she was affected.
“My son was travelling from Bulawayo to Hwange after a church conference when their car was involved in an accident.
“I was fearing for the worst for my son and as a mother I was deeply pained. This resulted in my blood pressure rising and that is why I was rushed to hospital during the course of the game,” said Phiri.
Fear had gripped the colliery netball team camp as Phiri is not only a coach but a mother figure to most of the girls in her team.
A mother of four, Phiri has a lot of girls looking up to her for advice and guidance. She is a pillar of hope and strength to her team.
Meanwhile, Hwange Colliery round off their season tomorrow when they play against Zesa Harare in the capital. This is a must-win game for the Chipangano girls as they are determined to end the season in style and keep their pride intact. The colliery team are enjoying a fine run. On Sunday they extinguished the flames of Glow Petroleum of Kwekwe after beating them 29-24 before the derby against ZPC Hwange which left the colliery girls bruised and tired.
Hwange are likely to make the long trip to Harare without Phiri as she is still waiting for the doctor’s confirmation to be discharged from hospital.
Online Reporter