Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZAMBEZI Eagles finally gave themselves something to show for their work at the ongoing Telkom Netball League after ending a difficult start with a hard-fought 58-47 victory over Flames at Ellis Park in South Africa yesterday.
After opening losses to Fireballs and Crinums, pressure had already started building around the Zimbabwean development side. Yesterday they looked like a team that knew another defeat would make the road harder. The opening quarter was tight.
Eagles started cautiously and spent much of it chasing the game before settling into rhythm for a 12-12 scoreline.
The Zimbabweans began finding their flow in the second quarter through better use of centre passes, with shooters Nicole Muzanenhamo and Enesi Chavarika starting to see more ball and making it count inside the circle. There were still some problems.
The Wing Attack and Wing Defence areas looked vulnerable at times and Eagles missed chances to turn possession into bigger gains.
Both teams also leaned heavily on super shots as they searched for breathing space.
At half-time, Eagles had edged ahead 27-26.
“I am happy that our girls are playing according to instruction. They are quite young and need the exposure and some are getting their first caps, but it shows we are moving in the right direction,” said coach Simbarashe Mlambo during the halftime break. The match shifted after the restart.
Eagles raised the tempo and started forcing turnovers through the middle of the court. Centre Anifa Luya and Mu-zanenhamo combined well and repeatedly unsettled Flames. By the end of the third quarter, Zimbabwe had opened a five-goal cushion and suddenly looked in control.
Flames struggled to respond.
Eagles grew stronger as the game wore on and finished with confidence, stretching the gap and closing out a comfortable 58-47 victory.
Muzanenhamo’s performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
“We have finally hit the right codes. This is what we have been working on and I am happy the results are now coming,” said head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki.
“In the previous games people were looking at the score-lines, but this is a project and results take time.
“We could see positives in every match and we knew what we were building.”
The win may have eased pressure, but Zimbabwe’s focus goes beyond the Telkom League standings. The Eagles remain part of a bigger plan feeding into the Gems setup ahead of September’s qualification campaign for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
Some of the players impressing in South Africa are expected to move into the senior squad where there are still gaps to fill, especially in defence following the departure of former captain Felisitus Kwangwa.
Competition is also growing in the shooting department with Chavarika continuing to push for attention.
“Our bigger picture is the World Cup. We came here for exposure and this development side has become an im-portant feeder for the Gems,” Mutsauki said.
“We are still a work in progress but what we are seeing gives us confidence.”
Eagles face Jaguars on Friday before ending their Telkom campaign against Stings on Sunday.
