Andrew
Veronica Gwaze
ZIMBABWE’S national netball team, the Gems, have been forced to make do without some of their star players for the Diamond Challenge tournament scheduled for November 19 to 26 in Durban, South Africa.
Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki and his charges recently regrouped at Girls High School in Harare to prepare for the high-profile invitational tourney.
Skipper Felisitus Kwangwa, Joice Takaidza, Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo and Priscilla Ndlovu have all been ruled out.
Kwangwa is back at her Surrey Storm base in England ahead of the club season.
The trio of Kwaramba, Moyo and Ndlovu have school commitments.
Takaidza was also excused to give the lanky shooter more time with her family before she gets into a three-month-long camp ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Goal attacker Tafadzwa Matura will lead the team in Kwangwa’s absence.
While the annual Diamond Challenge is returning after a two-year Covid-19-induced hiatus, the Gems will be bouncing back after a three-year absence.
The last time they appeared at the contest was in 2018, when they settled for third place behind South Africa and Zambia.
“We are not reading much into the absence of some of our players because we have the depth,” Mutsauki said.
“What we need to do is work on the team’s confidence, fitness and also create more combinations.”
At the recent 2023 Netball World Cup Qualifiers in Pretoria, South Africa, the Gems showed they had enough arsenal.
They secured four wins from six outings to settle for third place and clinch one of the two tickets to the World Cup.
Malawi, who finished the tournament as runners-up, had booked the other ticket.
Mutsauki was happy to rotate his squad in matches against Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia.
In one of the games in which he had the luxury of tweaking his side, he switched trusted defender Sharleen Makusha into wing defence while handing over the goalkeeping ring duties to debutant Elizabeth Mushore.
Mushore produced a formidable combination with Kwangwa as they sealed the defensive ring.
Seasoned wing defender Kwaramba played in the centre against Tanzania and Botswana, and performed the task with ease.
“When we started our rebuilding exercise, our plan was to come up with as many combinations as possible. We had to go hunting across clubs, so our pool is really deep and all the players are equally good.”
Mutsauki has introduced Assa Zimusi, Rudo Simbi, Sthabile Manyukire, Kudakwashe Muchongwe, Thandekile Mahlangu and Thandazile Ndlovu.
Ndlovu comes in as a developmental player from the Young Gems.
Mutsauki is satisfied with the preparations so far.
“Our preparations are going on well so far; we have no major injuries and you can tell that the team is excited about the tourney.
“Competition is intense, which is exactly what we want; morale is high and I feel that qualifying for the World Cup gave them the confidence and motivation we needed so much,” said Mutsauki.
The new members, he said, are settling in well.
While the tournament will provide international exposure to the young players, it will also give the team a platform to earn points and improve their International Netball Federation rankings.
“Those who are not available for this tournament will have to work twice as hard to make the cut when they get back because new players are determined to make it into the World Cup team.”
Provisional squad:
Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura (ZDF Queens); Ursula Ndlovu, Beaular Hlungwane, Nobukhosi Ndlovu (Glow Petroleum); Tadanaishe Zimusi, Rudo Simbi (Harare City); Nicole Muzanenhamo, Thandekile Mahlangu, Thandazile Ndlovu (Green Fuels); Elizabeth Mushore, Sharleen Makusha, Sthabile Manyukire, Lynette Tanhira (Platinum Queens); Kudakwashe Machongwe (Correctional Queens).
Online Reporter