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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe senior netball team get their campaign at the 2022 Spar Diamond Challenge in Pretoria, South Africa underway today against the President’s XII hoping for a positive result.
The tournament is featuring hosts South Africa, Scotland and Zimbabwe.
The hosts are fielding two teams — the Proteas and the President’s XII.
Speaking before their departure, Gems assistant coach, Tatenda Shinya, said they are ready to get the ball rolling today.
Zimbabwe have always played second fiddle to South Africa but Shinya said they are hoping to give them a good run for their money this time around.
“Actually we have been in camp for the past one-and-a-half-month and everyone is ready now for the task ahead.
“We are also prepared to face the Proteas, who are the strongest team going into this tournament and we are also looking forward to give them a very good run, to reduce the score line or even beat them. It’s possible.
“We are also going to try by all means to collect maximum points against Scotland since they are ranked 10th in the world. We want to be in the top 10, so we have to beat those who are in the top 10, it will help us to get that position.
“As for the President’s XII, I think it’s stronger than the first team if I can say but we are prepared,” said Shinya.
The tournament is important for the world rankings and for their preparation for next year’s World Cup also to be hosted by South Africa.
Zimbabwe will be making their second appearance next year at the tournament after an impressive show at their debut appearance in 2019 when they were placed eighth, they are targeting an improvement, come 2023.
Shinya is confident with more friendlies they can come up with a strong team that can leave a mark at the World Cup.
“We are happy we are going to face such competition in preparation for the World Cup.
“This is very important. We hope and look forward to have as many friendlies as we can, come next year. This will give us a lot of opportunities to see a wider range of players that we want to select for the World Cup.
“And we are happy we now have the Under-19s also in the team and it’s going to help boost the morale of the juniors and also give competition to the seniors. And I am sure, come 2023, we will finish in the top four,” said Shinya.
Captain Felisitus Kwangwa, who is based in the UK, met with the rest of the team in South Africa.
Goal attack Tafadzwa Matura, who was the stand-in captain during camp for the tournament, is upbeat as the games begin.
“We are promising to do our best and bring positive results. We have been working hard in camp and we are hoping that our performance will be good at the tournament.
“We have some juniors in the team and they have been doing quite well. We have been working together and everything has been going well. It’s an opportunity to groom them for the future. “I am looking forward to continue from where I left when we participated in the World Cup qualifiers,” said Matura. Matura was one of the outstanding players for the senior side during the Africa Netball World Cup qualifiers held in August in Pretoria, South Africa.
Online Reporter