Gems roll over Namibia

Darlington Gatsi

ZIMBABWE netball team began their COSANA tri-nations series tournament on a flying note after thrashing Namibia 48-36 in Malawi yesterday.

The Gems are part of the COSANA tri-nations series with Malawi and Namibia as they up their 2023 Netball World Cup Qualifiers preparations.

Gems head coach, Ropafadzo Mutsauki, was impressed by his charges’ performance in his first international assignment as the head coach of the netball team.

“Overall, the girls played very well.

“Our aim in today’s game was to get a positive result as it gives confidence and motivation to the team in the tournament.

“We were not worried about the margin but we wanted to get a win nonetheless.

“First win is important in the tournament,” said Mutsauki.

Zimbabwe’s win against Namibia is a confidence booster ahead of the double encounter against the Namibians and the hosts,

“The win is important to the team as it reduces the morale of the opponents.

“With this win, we are now in a better position.

“We must keep that spirit, the winning spirit. We must work very hard to keep on leading,” he said.

The Gems take on Namibia again today with an early kick off at 10, followed by a tough encounter against Malawi.

Malawi are using the tournament as preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

“Tomorrow, (today) we have a very tough game against Malawi and Namibia as well.

“Namibia is not a pushover, it is a tough team.

“We will play against Namibia first and if we overcome in that match it will give us confidence going into the game against Malawi.

“We must not put ourselves under pressure like what we did today (yesterday).”