tawandamusarurwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Gems may have punched below their weight at the recent Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, but it was not all gloom in the senior team’s camp after all.
More was expected from a side that was making its second straight appearance at the tournament.
They made their debut in Liverpool, England, in 2019, where they finished a commendable eighth.
But four years down the line, they flattered to deceive at the first World Cup on African soil, which ran from July 28 to August 6, as the Ropafadzo Mutsauki side finished a lowly 13.
Powerhouse Australia took home the gold medal after outplaying England in the final.
A false start in their Pool A first preliminary round matches — in which they lost all their games against Australia, Fiji and Tonga — made life difficult for Zimbabwe.
They only came alive in the race against the bottom-four play-offs, where they pipped Barbados, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
However, some of their players came out tops in terms of individual statistics.
With 24 interceptions, Gems captain Felisitus Kwangwa bossed players at the tournament, including Courtney Bruce of Australia, who finished the competition one intercept short of the Zimbabwean.
Even goalkeeper Elizabeth Mushore had 15 interceptions to her name.
The Platinum Queens player was by far the best player for Zimbabwe at the global showpiece and even bettered all the players in defensive rebounds collection.
With 20 rebounds, Mushore led the way ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Jameela McCarthy, who was a distant second with 16 collections, according to statistics released by World Netball last week.
She also led on deflections with 36 — the same as Australia’s Bruce.
Mushore’s Platinum Queens teammate Progress Moyo was the sixth-best feeder at the tournament with 153 passes, in the category led by Takondwa Lwazi of Malawi.
Goal shooter Nalani Makunde also made the top six in terms of goals after she hit the ring 218 times.
The Gems were largely driven by the brilliance of debutants Assah Takadanaishe Zimusi and Nichole Muzanenamo.
Zimusi was rarely used in the initial stages of the tournament but once she got the wing defence position, everything started working for Zimbabwe.
Kwangwa’s interceptions were largely credited to her, as she was tightening up passing angles by the opponents.
Director (sports and recreation) in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Eugenia Chidhakwa, who also graced the World Cup, said the signs are encouraging.
“It’s not that easy for players to boss around in a tournament with world-class stars. That is confirmation of efforts being made to enhance performance on our part,” said Chidhakwa.
“We are very proud to learn that some of our players are topping the tallies in key aspects of netball.
“That shows that there is a lot of work being done, although more also has to be done.
“We are proud of the girls and well done to them.”
She said there was need for continuity in the sport.
“Now that the World Cup is over, we would like to see a lot being done.
“Netball has the potential to bring international medals.
“The teams should participate in more international tournaments to continue improving.”
The Gems expect to perform well at the African Championships in Uganda in three months.
Online Reporter