Gems in do-or-die tie

Veronica Gwaze in Nairobi, Kenya

WHEN Zimbabwe stepped onto the Kasarani netball court yesterday, moments after Uganda had edged Malawi 54-49, they knew exactly what was at stake.
The Gems were walking a tightrope and a 28-73 victory over Tanzania was what they needed to hold tight their 2027 Netball World Cup qualifier life line.

After Monday’s damaging 31-47 defeat to Namibia left them third in Group One, only victory against Tanzania in their final group match would keep their World Cup dream alive.
They needed a win to protect their third-place standing and boost confidence ahead of the crucial playoffs.

Under the revised Africa Netball qualification format, finishing third does not spell elimination.
South Africa and Uganda have already qualified for Sydney via world rankings, meaning the two remaining semi-finalists, or playoff winners if the giants falter, will grab the last tickets.

And yesterday Zimbabwe responded like a team possessed, dominating from the first whistle, stealing Tanzania’s opening centre pass and converting the turnover to seize an early advantage, before making full use of their own centre passes for a cushion.
The Gems had done their homework.

They looked balanced and buoyant in all thirds; the defensive combination of Perisinev Tabviroona at goalkeeper and Assah Zimusi at goal defence, with Kelly Muyambo providing a shield at wing defence, choked Tanzania’s feed into the circle and forced held balls.

Zimbabwe rode high on intercepts and deflections, turning defence into attack through quick second-phase play.
By the first-quarter break, the Gems were already cruising with a 7- 20 lead.

Returning from the first break, the Gems did not lose rhythm and continued to blow hot in all thirds.
The defensive unit remained the first line of attack as Tabviroona and Zimusi controlled the circle edge, closing the shooting lane, doubling the shooter and forcing Tanzania’s attackers out of the circle, while Muyambo pressured the transverse line and shut down the second-stage feeds.

Zimbabwe’s attackers also played a defensive role, dropping back on the centre pass defence and forcing held balls and three-second violations.
Tanzania found it difficult to penetrate, with the Gems cutting their outlet passes, blocking the channel to the circle edge and keeping their front line at bay.

Oozing dominance, the Gems turned every intercept and rebound into fast, clinical transition, punishing Tanzania on the counter.
Going into the halftime break, the Gems were in total control, leading 12- 42.

Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki rang the changes in the second half, introducing Beaular Dhaure at goal defence, Lubelihle Khumalo at goalkeeper, Enesi Chavarika and Progress Moyo into the midcourt to allow Prisca Mpofu, Anifa Luya, Thandazile Ndhlovu and Muyambo to rest for the big Malawi test.
The rotations did not disrupt Zimbabwe’s rhythm.

By the third-quarter break, they had stretched the lead to 20-57.
In the shooting circle they converted turnover ball while winning aerial rebounds to take their lead to 28-73 at full time.

Gems coach Tatenda Shinya paid tribute to his side for a job well done, emphasising that the victory comes as a huge confidence booster ahead of the crucial playoff battle.
“We are happy that after the Namibia match postmortem, there are certain aspects of the game that we talked about before we came up with a plan,” he said.

“The girls stuck to the game plan today which is exactly what we needed…the good thing is that when we saw the outcome of the Uganda-Malawi match we knew what was now at stake.”
Zimbabwe need an outright victory in the winner-takes-all battle against Malawi on Friday to secure a third successive World Cup dance.

“We have been handed a lifeline, we now need to bring our best foot forward and avoid the mistakes we did against Namibia,” added Shinya.