Gems go for experience

Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe netball team management have opted for experience after announcing their travelling team dominated by tried and tested players for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023.

The World Cup is scheduled for July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa and Gems coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki says experience is vital competing at this stage.

The Zimbabwe Netball Association announced the 12-member squad plus three reserves yesterday in Harare. The Nedbank-sponsored Gems will be making their second successive appearance at the global tournament.

The team consists of several players who played at the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, England.

These include captain Felisitus Kwangwa, vice-captain Claris Kwaramba, goal shooters Joice Takaidza and Sharon Bwanali and goal keeper Sharleen Makusha.

Progress Moyo, who plays wing attack and travelled to England as part of the ZINA development programme, also made the final team.

“Experience is the best teacher. I think the experience they have is what we need because someone going for the first time may panic.

“So that experience is what we want and what we consider because it’s very important at this level of games we are going to play.  “I am happy we have several players we are taking to the World Cup for the second time,” said Mutsauki.

Shooter Tafadzwa Mawango was also part of the development programme in 2019 and is among the reserves as well as Ursula Ndlovu, who was part of the 2019 team.

UK-based Kwangwa, Takaidza and Nalani Makunde, both based in Australia, are expected to join the rest of the squad next week.  The coaches have been working mainly with the local-based for the past two weeks at Girls High School.

Mutsauki said they have been monitoring the foreign-based players and is confident they will deliver.

Among the players that will be competing at the World Cup for the first time is versatile 21-year-old Nicole Muzanenamo. She plays centre, goal attack and wing attack.

“I am so excited that they chose me to represent Zimbabwe and I feel honoured that I have worked with these beautiful ladies.

“They have been there for me since day one when I got into camp and they gave me all the support that I needed and I am grateful for that.

“I am going to give it my 100 percent and work very hard to make the nation proud,” said Muzanenamo.

Kwaramba, returning to the World Cup for the second time, promised to rise to the occasion.

“First of all I am very happy. I am glad. I just want to thank God that I am part of the team, it means a lot to me and it’s a sign that I have a bright future ahead of me.

“We are fighting to make the top four. That’s our wish and personally I am going to give it my best. I will try by all means as the vice-captain to ensure that we motivate each other so that we get into the top four,” said Kwaramba.

Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ministry Permanent Secretary, Thokozile Chitepo was the guest of honour at yesterday’s team announcement.

Chitepo assured all players, including those that did not make the final team, that they will travel for the World Cup.

“You have got the whole country behind you and you need to know that. Most importantly, your Government is behind you.

“I want to assure you, all of you will go. So we will work on that so that you go.

“You must know you have got your country behind you, you have got your leadership behind you right up to our President.”

Chitepo thanked Nedbank for their sponsorship to the team as well as other sponsors that have come on board.

Schweppes Zimbabwe, National Foods, Spar Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Cricket have also supported the team in various ways.

Nedbank initially put in US$50 000 towards travelling, accommodation and kit. They have since reviewed the sponsorship upwards to US$63 000, to include allowances for the players in camp.

ZINA president Letitia Chipandu was grateful to Nedbank and Government for the support.

“The initial signing (with Nedbank) that we did that other day was US$50 000, they have reviewed it to US$63 000 now. The amount that they have added now is going towards the allowances for the camp for all these girls that were in camp.

“And we are very grateful to Nedbank, we are so happy,” said Chipandu.

From the 21-member provisional squad that was called for the final camp, only one player did not make it while the other had to be excused because of family commitments.

Sport and Recreation Commission director-general Eltah Nengomasha said Government is fully behind the team.

Nedbank head of treasury and acting head of marketing and corporate affairs Latifa Kassim expressed confidence in the Gems.

“I think to start off, we just want to say we are very proud of the Gems that they are going on this journey. Our support which is shown financially, and us always being there, should be sufficient to tell them that we have got all the confidence in them,” said Kassim.

As part of their campaign to the World Cup, the national association also announced four brand ambassadors – musicians Janet Manyowa, Feli Nandi, Jah Prayzah and Tamy Moyo.

Gems Team:

Joice Takaidza, Tafadzwa Matura, Sharon Bwanali, Nalani Makunde, Nicole Muzanenamo, Beaula Hlungwani, Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo, Felisitus Kwangwa, Takadanaishe Zimusi, Elizabeth Mushore, Sharleen Makusha.

Reserves: Ursula Ndlovu, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Tafadzwa Mawango.