Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’s senior netball teams are ready to get down to action this afternoon as they host continental powerhouse Malawi in a high-profile international friendly games.
The series, which will also feature men’s teams, will take place at Sunrise Sports Club in Belvedere, with the Gems and their male counterparts, the Golden Flyers battle it out against Malawi’s senior sides.
Zimbabwe development side, Zambezi Eagles will also be part of the action as they showcase their potential, with individual players fighting to impress the selectors and win promotion into the senior team.
Malawi flew into Harare yesterday, following some travel delays, forcing their hosts — the Zimbabwe Netball Association — to postpone the start of the games by a day.
“We are pleased to welcome team Malawi to Zimbabwe ahead of the upcoming three-day friendly netball tournament which gets underway on Friday (today),” said ZINA.
“They faced a few challenges on their journey to Zimbabwe and as a result of the delay we are giving them the day to rest.”
Accordingly, all the fixtures that were scheduled for yesterday have been moved to today without any changes to the times.
ZINA said they are looking forward to an exciting netball weekend where both men’s and women’s teams will not only fight to win but also exchange notes.
The association’s technical director, John Banda, said the friendlies are meant to develop both nations’ teams as they seek to qualify for the 2027 Netball World Cup, which is scheduled for Australia.
The Gems will also use the friendly games as part of their preparations for the Celtic Cup, which comes next month in Scotland.
Banda said the Celtic Cup tournament will be used to earn points for the World Netball rankings.
As a result, Zimbabwe have to be in their best form to either maintain their 13th position on the global ratings or move up the ladder.
The only time when the Gems moved up was in 2019, just after their maiden Netball World Cup appearance in Liverpool.
In that year Zimbabwe briefly moved to 12th place before slipping back to 13th.
“Ranking games are very important, they make us move out of our comfort zone . . . we want to fight to improve our position.
“Looking at our team, we have the arsenal to make our way up the rankings and also earn a third successive World Cup appearance.
“So, playing a high-ranked Malawi is an advantage, we have so much to learn and better our side but we all agree that this is no longer a minnows Zimbabwe, and they (Malawi) also have a lot to learn from us.
“We have a youthful squad, they are still full of energy and I believe speed will be one of our strengths; remember globally the game has evolved and speed and transition has become the biggest assets a team should have,’’ added Banda.
If the Gems prevail against Malawi, it will become the second time they will have done so in years.
The first time they frustrated the regional powerhouse was at the African Championships in Namibia last year where the Gems also left fans in awe after stunning giants Uganda.
