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Veronica Gwaze in PRETORIA, South Africa
AFTER walloping Tanzania 43-33 to mark their third successive win of the tournament yesterday, the Zimbabwe senior netball team are through to the semi-finals of the ongoing 2023 Netball World Cup African Qualifiers in Pretoria, South Africa.
The lop-sided affair seemed to be an easy task for the Gems who dominated from the onset to seal a break into the next round with a game in hand.
If Ropafadzo Mutsauki’s charges beat nemesis South Africa today, they proceed to the semis as Pool A winners to face either Malawi or Zambia from Pool B in the semi-finals.
However, if they fall to the neighbours, they proceed as the second-placed team in Pool A behind South Africa who are also yet to taste defeat in this pool.
Malawi and Zambia will also clash later today in a match that will decide Pool B’s first and second positions.
Fielding a different team from the one that has been delivering in the previous two matches, the Gems yesterday proved that they have the depth as Tanzania trailed 12-22 by half-time.
In the Goal Keeping circle, defender Elizabeth Mushore, who marked her debut in style on Monday against Botswana by thrilling fans to a spectacular turnover in her first touch, did justice to block the goals.
The lanky star, who turns out for Platinum Queens, had come in as a late substitution for Tanaka Makusha.
Mushore was in fine form, producing a ticking combination with skipper Felisitus Kwangwa and Makusha who had switched to Wing Defence.
Vice-Captain Claris Kwaramba, who usually plays Wing Defence with ease, was entrusted with the Centre passes.
Not minding height in the goal shooting circle, Ursula Ndlovu was the first choice shooter of the match, alongside versatile Tafadzwa Matura.
Inside the third quarter, Priscilla Ndlovu took over the Wing Defence bib from Makusha in awkward changes that, however, were a show of Zimbabwe’s depth and strategic intelligence.
In the last quarter, Nicole Muzanenhamo, who has been playing Centre in the past two games, came in to replace Ursula Ndlovu as Goal Shooter to provide a solid performance until the last whistle.
Assistant Coach Tatenda Shinya paid tribute to his charges for a fine show and making it to the semi-finals.
“We came prepared today knowing what the game meant for us, we did not want to be complacent or to underestimate the opponents,” he said.
“The plan was to try out as many combinations as possible once we had opened a wide margin, our pool is deep and all the players are equally good, we are happy we delivered the goods.”
Despite having to face giants South Africa today in their final Pool A match, Shinya warned the Gems against playing under pressure.
He said they should more on surging past the semi-finals.
“We are already through to the semi-finals, so in as much as we need a win against South Africa, we should not play under pressure, we just need to focus more on how we can make it to the finals.
“We are still in a good position to grab one of the two Netball World Cup finals slots and it is motivation enough for us to push as a team.
“The girls had the zeal when we came here and we are happy everything is going according to plan,” said the Gems assistant coach.
Wing Attacker Beula Hlungwani, who was named player of the match, is basking in glory.
“For me this recognition goes to show the level of team effort because we played and won as a team despite standing out.
“However, we can only really celebrate these accolades after the tournament because right now we have something big to focus on so it is not yet Uhuru,” said the Glow Petroleum Winger.
She notes that the Gems are enjoying dividends of the hard work they put in during their preparations in camp.
“While we were in camp, coaches always reshuffled us in an effort to create as many combinations as possible so for us, yesterday was one of those days.”
In another match yesterday, Namibia fell 43-45 to Botswana erasing prospects of grabbing one of the two global show case slots.
Today’s Fixtures
10am Botswana v Tanzania
12pm South Africa v Zimbabwe
2pm Malawi v Zambia
4pm Pos 7-9 (A5vB4)
Online Reporter