Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in Nairobi, Kenya
ZIMBABWE’S hopes of a third successive Netball World Cup appearance are no longer firmly in their own hands following yesterday’s damaging 31-47 defeat to Namibia at the ongoing qualifiers in Nairobi.
It was the Nedbank-bankrolled Gems’ second defeat in three games, having opened their campaign with a win against Botswana followed by losses to South Africa and Namibia, leaving their semi-final charge in jeopardy.
Going into yesterday’s crunch tie, Zimbabwe sat third in the Group One log while South Africa and Namibia occupied the top two spots.
The equation was clear: the Gems needed victory to climb into second place and then an outright win against Tanzania to secure passage to the qualifiers play-offs as group runners-up, top in the qualifiers, so that they meet a weaker side from the other group.
Instead, Namibia flipped the script.
With victory, the Desert Jewels are now best placed for a runners-up finish, provided they also beat Tanzania, and could even top the group if they upset high-riding South Africa, who are also the Africa Cup defenders.
This means if Namibia complete Group One games as best runners-up, technically they become the top team in the qualifiers, while if Zimbabwe finish third in the group, they still proceed to the play-offs as the second best.
If so, Namibia will play the second best in Group Two, Kenya, while Zimbabwe face the top side, who in this case are likely to be Malawi, with odds suggesting that this will be a daunting task for the Gems.
“We still have chances to go to the next round but our aim was to finish top in the qualifiers so that we get a weaker side in the play-offs,” said Gems assistant coach Tatenda Shinya.
“Unfortunately as things stand we are behind Namibia and if we beat Tanzania then we proceed to play-offs as runners-up and we will be paired with Malawi who have historically been a challenge for us.”
Getting into yesterday’s assignment, Zimbabwe started on the back foot, losing successive centre passes and coughing up possession cheaply to Namibia’s full-court press in the opening minutes.
The mid-court eventually crept out of their shell, doing enough to drive through the opponents’ solid defensive zone, using quick give-and-go and second-phase play to feed the circle.
However, the shooting duo of Thandazile Ndhlovu and Prisca Mpofu were not up to scratch, missing crucial shots, failing to convert turnover ball and losing key rebounds.
Poor officiating compounded Zimbabwe’s woes, with umpires repeatedly protecting Namibian defenders despite blatant contact and obstruction calls inside the shooting circle.
By the first-quarter break, the Gems trailed 6-12, calling for stern introspection.
Zimbabwe returned in the second stanza more organised and clinical in the attacking third, making sure to convert every feed that found its way into the shooting ring.
Yet Namibia remained ruthless in all thirds, dominating aerial contests and converting their own centre passes to stretch the lead to 16-27 by half-time.
Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki rang the changes in the third quarter in search of steel at the back, shifting Assah Zimusi to goal defence, moving Kelly Muyambo to goalkeeper and introducing Beaular Dhaure at wing defence.
The reshuffle breathed life into the back-line, adding height and tightening the shooting lane to keep Namibia at bay in patches, with crucial tips and intercepts disrupting Namibia’s flow.
But the damage had already been done as Namibia still came to the party in the final quarter, holding their nerve to close out a 31-47 victory, leaving the Gems needing a miracle from Tanzania and South Africa to stay alive.
Coach Shinya said Zimbabwe were not clinical, especially in the opening stages of the game.
“Our game plan was to create space so that we reach the edge but the Namibian side was too physical on us and we failed to retaliate,” he said.
“This forced us to then work extra hard and to be strong enough to get those balls.
“Match officiating also cost us. In some instances that we thought were contact calls they were instead ruled as contest and for us to adjust, it took a long time, so the umpiring inconsistencies did us a lot of harm.”
Zimbabwe will take a break today before facing Tanzania to conclude their group-stage battle.
Shinya said they will use the day to tie up loose ends and ensure they stamp authority against the Tanzanians.
“In today’s (yesterday’s) game we were rushing with our passes and we committed a lot of unforced errors,” he said.
“So we just need to go back to the board, work on our mistakes because we need maximum points against Tanzania.”
Namibia head coach Julene Meyer emphasised that Zimbabwe are a strong side who however, need to learn how to work under pressure.
“They felt the pressure and lost composure, they were not clinical so we told each other that we needed to value possession and be accurate in our passes so that we reach our shooting circle,” she said.
“Once we got to our end, we were clinical and forced Zimbabwe to chase the game but I believe they have a youthful squad that has so much potential to dominate the continent if they give them more time together.”
