Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWO months after they featured at the Telkom Power Week in South Africa, members of the senior national netball team and their development side — the Zambezi Eagles — return to action this afternoon when they host Kenya in a potentially exciting four-day Test Series in Harare.
As part of a grand scheme to prepare for the Netball World Cup qualifiers, Zimbabwe sent the Zambezi Eagles to South Africa where they were the guest team in the Telkom Series.
Now a first by the Zimbabwe Netball Association, they will host an international Test Series against the visiting Kenyans at the Girls High School court.
ZINA will send both the Gems and the rookies’ side — Zambezi Eagles — into battle for the Series, which will run until Saturday.
Each squad will be trimmed from 20 to 15 players.
The association intend to hold periodic camps for those two squads ahead of a demanding schedule that will see them feature in international tournaments — the Celtic Cup in Scotland and the African Championships in Malawi.
As part of their broader strategy targeting 2027 World Cup qualification in Australia, ZINA, are looking to have this series form an integral part of the Gems’ preparations.
The Gems have a new look side with the quartet of Sharon Bwanali, Ursula Ndlovu, Claris Kwaramba and Tanaka Makusha, the only survivors from the old guard.
Former captain Pepetua Siyachitema is now in the coaching trenches and part of the crew assisting Ropafadzo Mutsauki.
Mutsauki said the Test Series against Kenya will serve as a platform for the team to showcase their skills in a highly competitive environment.
“We are aware of the importance of rigorous preparations and competitive play in enhancing the team’s performance if we are to make an impact on the international stage.
“This series against Kenya will help us to assess our teams and identify areas for improvement as we try to assemble the best possible squad for future assignments,’’ Mutsauki said.
Since the start of the rebuilding exercise in 2023, Mutsauki said, there has been significant progress in all the players competing for places in the national side.
The Gems have also credited their stability and improved approach to business to all-weather friends and sponsors, Nedbank.
With resources at their disposal, the team is now able to participate in international friendlies, which was not feasible in previous years.
The opportunity, said Mutsauki, allows for improved preparations and exposure on a global platform.
This Test Series will also see some Zambezi Eagles players graduate into the senior team at the expense of the under-performing Gems regulars.
The Test series against Kenya comes at a time when ZINA just signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding with Netball South Africa centred on capacity building.
According to the MOU, Netball South Africa will visit Zimbabwe later in the year for joint training on match officiating, administration and other netball support stuff.
ZINA technical director John Banda said the MOU focuses on capacity building and knowledge exchange between the two nations and on their first visit, Netball South Africa will also conduct Umpiring Grade C and Grade B for Zimbabwean officials.
These said are essential components in enhancing the skills of umpires, players and coaches alike who wish to take up match officiating.
“By leveraging the expertise of our South African counterparts, we aim to bolster our preparations for the upcoming global tournament.
“Our vision is to have Zimbabwean officials officiating at some of the high-profile games in future so the preparations start now.
“We also felt that by working closely with South Africa, a regional powerhouse who have done so well in improving the game, popularising it and luring sponsorship, we can learn a lot from them thereby elevating our standing in netball globally,” Banda said.
Fixtures:
Today: Zambezi Eagles vs Kenya (15:00)
Tomorrow: Gems vs Kenya (09:00), Zambezi Eagles vs Gems (15:00)
Friday: Kenya vs Zambezi Eagles (15:00)
Saturday: Kenya vs Gems (11:00)
Online Reporter