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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Handball Federation technical director Farai Gwisai has rallied the Under-20 men’s team to rise to the occasion when they take part in the International Handball Federation Trophy Continental Phase next month in Ethiopia.
All teams competing at the event that targets Under-18 and Under-20 players are expected to be in Addis Ababa by November 1 ahead of the competition scheduled to start on November 2 and run until November 7.
With just three weeks to go before the continental tournament comes to life, Gwisai is not dwelling much on the challenges that have seen the coaches having to find a way to adjust their preparation plans due to limited resources.
The team had a couple of periodic camps and took part in a local tournament held in Bulawayo more than a week ago.
They had hoped for friendly matches against Zambia after receiving an invitation from the neighbouring country but could not travel due to financial constraints.
Despite these drawbacks, Gwisai said they were aiming for an improved show compared to their last participation when the team returned home without a single win.
The Under-20 side took part in the same event last year after winning the regional tournament.
“Hopefully we are going to improve from the ranks we had last time.
“Yes, they can improve the rankings compared to last time because then we were just recovering from Covid and our handball was not as active as now.
“Now clubs are playing, there is more handball (competition) than last time.”
The team is expected to regroup in Harare for a two-week camp next week. They are scheduled to leave for Ethiopia on November 1.
“Next week they are supposed to go into camp. We have got some funds from a course we had.
“They are going to have two weeks in camp. It will give the coaches more time to work on tactical approaches to the competition.
“Hopefully they can have more friendless with a selection of clubs,” said Gwisai.
Zimbabwe earned their place at the Continental Phase when they defeated Zambia in the final of the Zone VI competition in May, in Harare.
It was a repeat of 2022 when they also dismissed Zambia in the final of the regional tournament to earn their place at the continental event.
While Zimbabwe qualified for the Under-20 category, Zambia secured their place in the Under-18 age group after beating Zimbabwe in the final of the Zone VI tournament.
Coach Tafadzwa Madure, who was the assistant coach when they went for the continental tournament last year in January, had hoped for a more comprehensive preparation this time around with emphasis on friendly games against other competitive countries.
But they have had to work around the available resources and when they regroup, they are looking at assessing the players who have been working with individual programmes since their last period in August.
“So now we want to build on what they did during that training programme we gave them, assess their weaknesses and strengths but now work together as a team,” said Madure.
Other countries that have confirmed their participation in Ethiopia include Madagascar, Guinea, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, and Rwanda.
Online Reporter