Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in Nairobi, Kenya
ZIMBABWE’S senior netball team, the Gems, may have fallen 58-41 to perennial rivals South Africa in their second 2027 Netball World Cup Qualifiers match in Kenya yesterday, but their World Cup dream remains intact.
South Africa, who have already qualified for the global show-piece, are playing for the Africa Cup, while the Gems, who are still seeking qualification, opted to conserve energy for today’s crucial encounter against Namibia.
The Gems need nothing less than a victory today to remain well placed to finish their Group One fixtures in the top two and proceed to the semi-finals.
In yesterday’s match, they won the opening centre pass and converted cleanly to draw first blood. However, South Africa hit back immediately, converting their own centre pass before snatching the Gems’ next one to surge into an early lead.
The Gems were quick to respond, and by the fourth minute they forced a crucial turnover in the mid-court, with Thandazile Ndhlovu making no mistake under the post to cut the deficit to one.
By the sixth minute, Zimbabwe had settled, levelling matters at four-all with crisp ball rotation through court and strong holds in the shooting circle.
Then concentration lapsed, and the Nedbank-bankrolled Gems lost successive centre passes to blind feeds into a crowded shooting third, with forced passes being picked off by South Africa’s defence.
By the ninth minute, Zimbabwe trailed by three. The real battle was always going to be won in the mid-court, and the trio of Prudence Sibanda at wing attack, Prisca Mpofu at centre and Beaular Dhaure at wing defence did everything to absorb the Spar Proteas’ high press and full-court defence.
The Gems worked to create second-phase options and open up the front space for their shooters.
However, the shooters were not equal to the task as they struggled to convert from turnover ball. South Africa, clinical off both their own centre passes and turnover ball, stretched the gap to dominate 14-6 by the first-quarter break.
Returning from the first breather, the Gems rang the changes to steady the ship.
Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki introduced Perisinev Tabviroona at goal defence, pulling Kelly Muyambo from goalkeeper to wing defence and shifting the versatile Assah Zimusi to guard the circle at goalkeeper.
It was a defensive reshuffle meant to add aerial presence and shut South Africa’s shooting lane. In the attacking third, Progress Moyo came in to relieve Prudence Sibanda at wing attack, while Anifa Luya was thrown into the goal attack bib and Prisca Mpofu took a breather on the bench.
Luya’s introduction brought movement and craft as she worked as a decoy shooter, using rolls and strong front holds to drag defenders, winning contact calls and obstruction penalties for Ndhlovu while relieving her of pressure from South Africa’s defensive duo.
