adminBrighton Zhawi in GABORONE, Botswana
THE Zimbabwe netball team missed out on qualification to next year’s World Cup after losing to neighbours Zambia in an African Championship encounter at Botswana Courts yesterday.
In a must-win match to book a place at the Australia World Cup, the Gems capitulated 42-47 in a game they struggled to maintain momentum and rhythm.
The win saw Zambia finish second to unbeaten East African giants Uganda, while the hosts beat Swaziland yesterday to take third position as the trio join already qualified Malawi and South Africa as the continent’s representatives.
Botswana, however, qualify in the developmental category that will feature other third finishers in their respective qualifiers.
Zimbabwe, who finished fourth in the competition, fell to a quick 6-2 deficit yesterday against the disciplined Zambians, but fought hard to stay in touch.
The Zambians were, however, kept in front by sharp shooting from inspirational captain Nakazwe Beauty and Jere Lucy, who led their team to 12-11 lead in a tight low-scoring opening stanza.
The second quarter started in similar fashion with Zambia maintaining their lead, but the Gems resisted and recovered to take the lead for the first time in the match at 16-15.
Captain Perpetual Siyachitema was the driving force but the Zambians regained the lead to open up a three-point buffer into the main break at 25-22.
The agile Yvonne Mdzikangava replaced Miriam Mwangeyi at wing attack as Zimbabwe sought a comeback in the game.
The Gems were not yielding yet with Pauline Jani and Paidamoyo Tinoza upfront leading the fightback that saw Zimbabwe recover to go into the deciding quarter one point adrift at 34-35.
They had the advantage of the centre pass on the resumption, but they wasted it setting the tone for the quarter that decided their fate.
The recovery could not happen as Zambia’s substitute diminutive centre player Naomi Changwe brought freshness with her verve that proved difficult to handle for the Zimbabweans whose defenders were tiring.
Online Reporter