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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE senior netball national team, Gems will get their 2022 Spar Diamond Challenge underway this afternoon when they face President’s XII at the University of Pretoria.
The high-profile invitational tournament is making a return after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scotland, President’s XII, Zimbabwe and South Africa are featuring in the competition. The President’s XII is a second South African side which Zimbabwe will play today before facing the Spar Proteas the next day.
The Gems will wrap up their pool games against Scotland. All the 2022 Spar Diamond Challenge matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Zimbabwe will use the competition to prepare for their second appearance at the Netball World Cup tournament in South Africa next year.
Zimbabwe qualified for the global showpiece for the second time after they finished third, behind Malawi and South Africa during the World Cup qualifiers in Pretoria, South Africa.
South Africa had, however, already qualified by virtue of being hosts, which meant that Zimbabwe needed to finish third in order to qualify, something they achieved by beating neighbours Zambia 59-49 in the bronze medal fixture.
The 16 teams on their way to the competition are Australia, Barbados, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Wales and Zimbabwe.
Players
Felisitus Kwangwa, Sharleen Makusha, Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura, Beaula Hlungwani, Thandazile Ndlovu, Ursula Ndlovu, Nicole Muzanenhamo, Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Rudo Simbi, Elizabeth Mushore, Assa Siyai, Takadanaishe Zimusi, Lynette Tanhira, Kudakwashe Muchongwe, Thandekile Mahlangu.
Technical Team
Head coach- Ropafadzo Mutsauki
Assistant coach-Wisdom Shinya
Team manager-Agnes Chirodza
Statistician- Simbarashe Mlambo
Physiotherapist-Kwava Nyembesi
Team Doctor-Patience Maramba.
Fixtures
Today
South Africa v Scotland, Zimbabwe v Presidents XII
Tomorrow
South Africa v Zimbabwe, Presidents XII v Scotland
Friday
Scotland v Zimbabwe, South Africa v Presidents XII – @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter