Chronicle Editor
Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE netball Gems will face Botswana in their opening match of the 2018 Diamond Challenge to be held in Limpopo province, South Africa, from November 27 to December 1.
South Africa, Malawi, SA President’s XII Select and Zambia will also compete in a round robin format at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Indoor Sports Complex.
The objective of the competition, which is held annually, is to celebrate the role of women in sport and to elevate the profile of netball in participating countries.
Zimbabwe, ranked 13th in the International Netball Federation (INF) World rankings, are expected to roll over Botswana, who are ranked 22nd.
The Gems’ next match will be against Zambia (ranked 17th) on November 28 before meeting Namibia (ranked 28th) and SA President’s XII.
Their last match will be against defending champions South Africa on December 1.
South Africa are ranked fifth in the world and will be a hard nut to crack for the Zimbabwe Gems.
The tournament is a good opportunity for Zimbabwe to build a team ahead of the 2019 Netball World Cup that will be staged in England in July.
derick.khumalo