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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE national senior men’s field hockey team is expected to get into camp this weekend for the final phase of their preparations for the Central South Africa tournament that begins next week in Harare.
The tournament, which is serving as a qualifier for the African Games, is set to feature four countries – Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The competition begins on August 31 and runs up to September 4 at St John’s College.
Men and women’s teams from the four countries are scheduled to take part in the event. The top two countries from each section will progress to the continental Games to be staged in Ghana, next year.
Zimbabwe men’s team manager, Prince Mwale, confirmed they will have a camp running from tomorrow to Tuesday, a day before the tournament begins.
“The camp is Friday till Tuesday and then the tournament begins on Wednesday. It’s the final camp.
“I think what we do for the next couple of days, it’s going to be critical. I think the bonus for us right now is we are going to be able to get our team together and stay together, which is a major bonus for us.
“So we can work, not just on the physical aspects of the game, but the mental aspect and just get some team chemistry going. So this camp is definitely going to be the most crucial thing for us going into the qualifiers,” said Mwale.
Their build-up to the event has not been smooth due to lack of resources. They have had some training sessions with some of the players and the camp will give them the opportunity to work with the whole team just before going into competition.
Zimbabwe will be out to earn their ticket to the African Games and they are hoping to utilise the home advantage.
Mwale, who is also the assistant coach for the team, said they are targeting the top spot.
“So obviously our goal is to win the tournament that’s our goal. So the focus area is just getting all our players in the right mental attitude, state of preparedness and then getting the team chemistry going so that everyone understands all they are supposed to do. And what is needed from each and every one of them.
“So it’s just getting the team mentally and physically prepared over the next couple of days to get ready for the tournament.
“We would like to send a big shout out to Pandari Hotel, who have given us a major boost in being able to make us use their facilities for a minimum price. So it’s been amazing, that actually gives us quite a boost,” said Mwale.
Zimbabwe are fielding both men’s and women’s teams at the tournament.
Online Reporter