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Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
GEMS coach Lloyd Makunde believes the three-day break, after the Pent Series, gave them some time to work on their weaknesses ahead of the Africa Netball Cup, which gets underway today in Windhoek, Namibia.
The continental show-piece is running until November 16.
Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe competing for the African title.
Zimbabwe clash with South Africa, in their first game, this afternoon.
South Africa, the top ranked country on the continent, are the defending champions.
Makunde said the Pent Series gave them a competitive set-up to identify their strength and weaknesses.
“We saw our strengths and weaknesses. We are working on correcting our weaknesses because you can see that we were marking the ball and getting turnovers but failing to score.
“Defensively we are not bad, we were getting the ball but not scoring.
“It’s not just about the shooters but our transition has also been a problem. So we have been working on that and we have seen some improvements,” said Makunde.
The Pent Series ended last Friday and Zimbabwe came third behind Uganda and Malawi.
“They have been resting but we have been training as well. We hope they are recovering but there was no much time to recover because we needed to train since we are going for another tournament,” said Makunde.
They are chasing another podium finish but it’s going to be tough as competition is likely to be stiffer at this event.
South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania were not part of the Pent Series.
“Going into tomorrow’s (today) game we are better prepared than before,’’ said Makunde.
“We are playing netball to be the best in Africa. To be the best you need to play the best and to be positive,” he said.
The Gems will be banking their hopes on captain Felisitus Kwangwa, Sharon Bwanali, Claris Kwaramba and Ursula Ndlovu, who are some of the experienced players in the team.
They will also be hoping the new players, who include goal keeper Priscilla Ndlovu, centre Nobukhosi Ndlovu and goal shooter Lynnette Tanhira, continue with their good form.
In other matches lined up for today, Tanzania take on Uganda, who are the 2021 Pent Series champions.
For Uganda, after such a good show at the just-ended tournament, where they won all their five matches, they would want to carry the momentum into this competition.
Malawi clash with Zambia while hosts Namibia are up against Botswana in the last match of the day.
Online Reporter