Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Under-18 and Under-20 men’s teams have stepped up their act in their preparations for the International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy Zone VI Youth and Junior men’s tournament with a two-day training programme starting today.
Following trials held in January, the Zimbabwe Handball Federation are now holding a training camp at Harare High School.
The regional tournament in Lusaka, Zambia is slated for April 28 to May 3.
All players were expected to check in by end of day yesterday.
ZHF technical director Bekezela Ncube confirmed the camp, and said they are trimming the teams to 20 players for each age group before dropping four more players during the final camp next month to remain with 16 that will travel to Zambia.
They are expecting over 30 players for each age group.
“They are checking in today (yesterday), and then the training will be there on Saturday and Sunday.
“The reason why we are leaving them at 20 for now, we want to have a situation where if one of them is injured, we still remain with the 16 that we want,” said Ncube.
This is the first time all the selected players are meeting, following the trials held in Harare and Bulawayo in January.
“Remember, when we started, we did our Harare camp, we selected quite a number of players, about 25 because the Harare camp had more provinces coming for the trials.
“And when we selected, we were using positions, now, mixing with the Bulawayo camp, we want to come up with a very strong team.
“The first and most important thing is the skill of the individual. We are looking at how skilful is the individual.
“At the end of the day, we also consider height because height also makes a difference. And we also look at those players who are taking part in the club system
“These are the players that we are targeting. Because we know they have been playing for quite a long time. There is a lot that the coaches will be looking at,” Ncube said.
The Zone VI tournament serves as a qualifier for the Continental Phase.
Only the winning team in each age group progresses to the next stage.
Under-20 coach Tafadzwa Madure said it is going to be an intense programme since they have limited time with the players.
“We had given them training programmes to follow since the selection.
“Tomorrow first things first, we are supposed to do a fitness test to assess their progress, how fit they are, and then we do a physical training. Probably the whole of tomorrow will be very much intense training and see what level we will get.
“Then most probably on Sunday we will be focusing on tactics and individual skills, individual brilliance,” said Madure.
Madure was in charge of the Under-20 for the previous tournament, in 2024 and won the title.
He will be assisted by Bekithemba Nkala.
Farai Mukundu is the head coach for the Under-18 side where he will be working with Kudakwashe Gadzira.
