Vusumuzi Dube
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Gems finished their Spar Diamond Challenge campaign without a victory after they lost 49-43 to South Africa President’s XII in a 3rd and 4th playoff yesterday.
Nicole Muzanenhamo was named Player of the Match despite the loss. The best result for the Gems at the tournament was their 41-41 stalemate against Scotland. In that encounter Elizabeth Mushore was the Player of the Match.
The Gems are using the competition to prepare for their second appearance at the Netball World Cup 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 Africa qualifiers in Pretoria.
South Africa had, however, already qualified by being hosts of next year’s global showpiece, which allowed Zimbabwe to sneak in after beating Zambia 59-49 in a bronze medal encounter.
Meanwhile, the Gems will know their World Cup opponents next Tuesday when the draw for the 2023 Netball World Cup takes place in East London, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
World Netball on Monday revealed the latest World Netball rankings confirming the seeding for the 16 teams for the Netball World Cup. — Follow on Twitter @innocentskizoe
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter