Wenslus MurapeVeronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
RAINBOW Netball League defending champions Glow Petroleum Queens are taking a cautious approach in their remaining fixtures as they seek to defend their title for the fourth time in a row.
Glow Petroleum Queens hold a record-equalling three straight RNL titles.
For all their titles, the Kwekwe based side have found it easy to defend the championship under the mentorship of Perpetua Siyachitema.
The former Zimbabwe senior netball team captain has also been celebrated for assembling a formidable side which she kept intact for the three years.
However, midway this season, despite their title defence aspirations seemingly on course, Glow lost the core of their squad.
Beaulah Hlungwane, Barbra Lodi and Nokuthula Mbano who were the champions’ regular starters in the past years left to pursue other ventures.
“We lost three of my players who were all in the starting line up, they formed the core of the team so it has been quite a great challenge for us,” said Siyachitema.
Regardless of their departure, Siyachitema is confident that she has enough depth to fill up the gaps.
Currently Glow lead the log table with 51 points from 26 games while 2023 league runners-up Correctional Queens are second placed with 49.
Siyachitema feels that despite the pressure in the championship race, she is rebuilding a strong squad in time to reclaim the title.
“So far I think my team is doing well, they have managed to absorb the pressure and keep up with the race,” she said.
“Despite training for only two days fortnightly, hard work, team spirit, oneness and the zeal to always learn and try new things is helping us soldier on.”
“It is tough to watch helplessly your players leaving the team, they were the backbone, but it is a game of netball and we have to anticipate such.
“As a coach, I can still feel the gap but we are trying hard to cover it, with the season now in the final lap, the rebuilding process needs to be handled carefully.
“We have to keep pushing, our target remains to defend the title so our eyes are on the prize.”
Siyachitema believes she has a squad that has what it takes to defend their trophy.
“This season there is serious competition in the league, also midway, teams bolsted and also corrected their mistakes.
“This shows just how serious they are in terms of competing and wanting to snatch the championship from us. We have to fight the same way we have done in the past seasons, so with what happened to us, I think we have to double the effort in fighting for the title.”
With the difficulties that come with successfully defending a league title, the reigning coach of the year expects the same from her players.
She feels that “mental strength” will carry them through.
“Netball is a game of pressure; every game that you play comes with its own set of pressures so you need to be strong mentally.
“Everyone comes prepared if they are playing the defending champions so we need to up our game.”
This weekend, RNL will host nine bubbles across provinces with Glow Petroleum Queens to face Flow Angels and ZRP Masvingo at Glenview Courts, Harare.
Online Reporter