malvernmugadzikwa
Veronica Gwaze
ZIMBABWE captain Felisitus Kwangwa is confident the Gems will acquit themselves well at the Netball World Cup despite being drawn into a tough group.
The netball team, whose morale was boosted by support from Nedbank, will face 10-time World Cup winners Australia in their opening Pool A match.
They will also play Fiji and Tonga.
The tournament is scheduled for July 28-August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa.
England, hosts in Liverpool four years ago, are in Pool B, together with Malawi, Scotland and Barbados; while Jamaica, South Africa, Wales and Sri Lanka make up Pool C.
World Cup favourites New Zealand, Uganda, Trinidad & Tobago and Singapore will battle it out in Pool D.
For Kwangwa, who was part of the cast in Liverpool in 2019, the Gems have every reason to believe in themselves.
“We are not intimidated by the INF (International Netball Federation) rankings or previous World Cup performances; our eyes are on the prize,” Kwangwa said.
“Australia does not have tall players, which should work to our advantage, so against them we simply have to improve on speed and fuse with a bit of tactics because such matches are often about mind games.”
Australia are the top-ranked team in the world, while Zimbabwe is ranked 13th.
Kwangwa, however, vividly remembers the 73-37 hiding they got from Australia in Liverpool.
The group games will be played in a round-robin format.
Each team will play three matches.
The top three teams from each pool will then proceed to the next round, while the bottom ones from the four groups will play for positions 13 to 16.
Gems coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki, who has been on a rebuilding exercise after taking over from Lloyd Makunde, will have a number of players making their World Cup debuts.
Kwangwa believes it is the role of senior players to boost the rookies’ confidence if they are to secure a ticket for the second round of the tournament.
“Our hopes of progressing to the second round of the tournament are high; in fact, having set a standard in 2019, we have an image to protect, so there are no two ways about it,” she said.
“Most of our players are new at such a tournament, so we need to be there for them and to prepare them mentally. We need the confidence.
“We have young and mobile attackers whom we expect to add a unique flare to the game by giving maximum supply to our shooters, which is exactly what we need for the opening match.”
In their second and third pool matches, the Gems will battle it out against Tonga, who are ranked seventh, and Fiji, who sit 19th.
“We should not leave any room for complacency; the best way to survive is by tightening our midcourt and cutting supply to the opponents’ scoring third,” added the captain.
“From our previous appearance at the World Cup, our type of play matches international standards.
“We simply need to play our tactical cards right and gather enough confidence to face any opponent.”
Nedbank have already poured in US$50 000 towards the team’s kit, insurance, travel and accommodation.
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chipped in with US$10 000.
National Foods, Schweppes, Zimbabwe Cricket (CricShop) and Cresta have also extended a helping hand.
However, the team still needs more support.
For the 33 days they were in camp in March, accommodation and meal expenses amounted to US$33 000.
The Gems will depart for Cape Town on July 20.
They are expected to play friendly matches against England, Wales, Scotland and Barbados before the World Cup starts.
Final squad
Felisitus Kwangwa, Joice Takaidza, Nalani Makunde, Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Nicole Muzanenhamo, Beaulah Hlungwani, Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo, Issa Zimusi, Elizabeth Mushore, Tanaka Makusha, Ursula Ndlovu, Tafadzwa Mawango
Online Reporter