Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Gems delivered a strong performance to reclaim their bronze medal at the Africa Netball Cup after beating Malawi 48-44 in Lilongwe yesterday.
The Gems proved to be the better side of the day in a closely contested match that could have gone either way.
It was the second time the two countries met in the third and fourth play-off as they clashed again last year in Namibia, with Zimbabwe edging them (Malawi) 48-42.
The Gems yesterday repeated the same feat.
Speaking to the media in Malawi, Gems assistant coach Perpetua Siyachitema could not hide her joy as she said the decision to rest most of their key players on Saturday when they faced South Africa in the semi-final paid off.
Zimbabwe were outclassed 84-32, as South Africa dominated throughout the game.
But yesterday, they rose to the occasion.
“Firstly, I would like to applaud my girls . . . They played extremely well. They played according to instruction despite all the criticism,” she said. “Like yesterday we rested most of our players, and we had so much criticism. But I think it worked out in our favour.
“And I don’t even regret it. We as a technical team, we don’t even regret it. We are so proud of our girls.
“And we are so proud of us as a technical team, I think we did perfectly well. We really did the needful,” said Siyachitema.
Both teams played with intent from the onset, going toe-to-toe for most of the game.
Malawi took the first quarter 12-10.
But the Gems made sure to keep pressure on the hosts to go into half-time tied 25-25 as goal shooter Thandazile Ndhlovu partnering with goal attack Nicole Muzanenamo gave a good account of themselves in the shooting circle.
The senior women’s side just played as a unit knowing what was at stake.
Muzanenamo was briefly replaced by Ursula Ndlovu with less than two minutes to go before half-time and was back in the third quarter.
Zimbabwe were leading 38-33 by the end of the third quarter as they made full use of their chances, utilising their turnovers, and managed to hold on to the lead going into the fourth quarter. They just needed to maintain the lead in the final stretch and they just did that.
“I think Malawi is not a bad side. Malawi is a good side. They are also ranked ahead of us.
“Playing Malawi is one of the most important things for us as Zimbabweans. We have one or two things to learn from them.
For her outstanding performance, Ndlovu walked away with the Player of the Match for the second time as the curtain came down on the tournament yesterday.
