Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Under-20 handball team got their campaign underway at the African Men’s Junior Nations Championship on a losing note when going down 28-39 against hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
The tournament featuring 16 countries from across the continent roared into life on Saturday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
And Zimbabwe were up against the hosts in their Group A opening match.
Going into half time, Cote d’Ivoire were leading 19-15 and maintained the upper hand in the last half to claim victory.
Zimbabwe’s coach Tafadzwa Madure said despite creating scoring opportunities, they struggled to convert those chances, which was one of the contributing factors to their downfall. “Our first game was a tense match playing against the host nation although I believe we had it to win because tactically, we were the same but we made a lot of turnovers and our shooting wasn’t precise.
“I believe it’s an eye opener for the team.
“Also, the major setback was on resin, a special glue used to help gripping the ball, something that in Southern Africa we don’t have access to but Western and Northern countries use it regularly.
“So, we failed to adapt and it was an advantage to them,” Madure said.
Zimbabwe earned their place at the continental showpiece when they won the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone VI in May.
However, Madure admitted they need to step up their game going against some of the top teams on the continent at the ongoing tournament that runs until Saturday.
“This is a very different competition and we cannot afford to make mistakes because opponents capitalise on them.
“Going forward I believe we should work on our composure, maybe those mistakes we caused were because we were panicking,” added Madure.
Zimbabwe were scheduled to play Guinea late yesterday in their second group game.
Guinea beat Rwanda 36-20 in their first encounter. Zimbabwe will wrap up the group stages against Rwanda on Tuesday. With 16 participating nations divided into four groups, the top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-final. The bottom two from each group will play in the placement matches.
Meanwhile the senior women’s team is in camp for the final phase of their preparations for the upcoming International Handball Federation Nations Trophy Africa – Zone VI tournament.
The team regrouped last Friday at Highfield High 1 School for the final camp running until departure for the regional tournament due to take place from September 15 to 19 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The technical team lead by coach Tawanda Mapira is looking at finalising the final squad that will represent the country in Zambia.
The winners from the regional event, proceed to the IHF Nations Trophy.
This is the first time senior teams are competing in the regional tournament, and it comes after the introduction of the IHF Nations Trophy early this year.
The new senior competition is designed to support developing nations, and just like the youth and junior events, it begins with the regional tournaments.
