Kwangwa expected in Gems camp

GEMS captain Felistus Kwangwa is expected to resume training with the rest of the Zimbabwe senior netball team today, in preparation for the 2023 Netball World Cup set for Cape Town, South Africa.

Kwangwa who plays in the Vitality Netball league in England is one of the few foreign players in the national team.

Coach, Ropafadzo Mutsauki said the coming in of Kwangwa is a huge boost for the team in terms of morale.

“Already, the morale in camp is high. Having the foreign brigade coming into camp will only improve the mood and competition within. The captain should be starting training with Australian-based Nalani Makunde and Joice Takaidza joining in the next coming days.

“We have been working on what we believe should be the core of the team which is our midfield. Defensively l think we have improved. Once we have sorted things out in the middle, l think we will be good to go,” said Mutsauki.

Captain Kwangwa made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean netball player to play in the top-flight English League in 2021 when she joined Surrey Storm.

On her debut season, she made 19 appearances and last year she played 16 games.

Kwangwa won the Surrey Storm coach and fans’ player of the year awards following an impressive performance in the Vitality League last season.

The highly rated Kwangwa who plays as a defensive player also helped Zimbabwe to secure its second successive World Cup qualification.

The Netball World Cup will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa from July 28 to August 6.

Netball fans in Cape Town got to see the Netball World Cup trophy up close and personal starting this past weekend.

Yesterday, the trophy made its way to the Langa Civic Hall in Washington Street for a day of more activities, including an exhibition netball game with local players.

The final stop of the trophy tour will be the Canal Walk Food Court Today.

— @innocentskizoe