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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
GEMS captain Felisitus Kwangwa reckons the friendly matches lined up in South Africa just before the start of the Vitality Netball World Cup will present an opportunity to polish some aspects of their game.
The 16-team tournament is due to take place from July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Kwangwa, who plays for English side Surrey Storm in the Netball Super League in the UK, is one of the three foreign-based players expected to join camp early next month.
The other two players are Australia-based goal-shooter Joice Takaidza and Nalani Makunde.
The Gems are in the final phase of their preparations ahead of their departure scheduled for July 20.
“The tournament is now around the corner and in terms of the preparations I know we didn’t get all we would have expected and there are reasons for that. But I am just glad right now people are in camp, though we only played one test series.
“Hopefully, when we get to South Africa we will have a couple of friendlies with the other teams. And I think it will help the coaches to polish up on whatever skills they want the team to (improve),” said Kwangwa.
The Gems were last active in November last year, when they participated at the Spar Diamond Challenge in South Africa.
They are expected to take on England on July 23, then Barbados on July 25 before facing Scotland and Wales on July 26 in friendly games just before the World Cup competition roars into life.
“My expectation when I join camp is to make sure I fit in the group very well… And, obviously we work very hard towards the common goal which is to win the World Cup and, if not, at least to play better than what we did in our maiden World Cup,” Kwangwa said.
The Gems captain and goal defender had an exciting season with Surrey Storm following an improved show in the just-ended Netball Super League season when finishing fourth.
It was an improvement from last year when they were placed seventh at the end of the season. In 2021 they managed position 10 in the 11-team league.
“I can say the 2023 season was one of the best for me in this league and my team has shown some improvement.
“We are now in the right direction where I think next year everyone would watch Surrey Storm playing in the final and obviously being the winners of that season.
“It really feels great to be part of that team which has been working on rebuilding and we are actually seeing the results, like coming from seventh position to fourth position. It’s actually a huge difference and hopefully next season the team is going to continue to show progress,” she said.
Kwangwa was last week appointed brand ambassador for United Kingdom-based insurance and risk management firm, Diaspora Insurance.
“I am brand ambassador for diaspora insurance. I am actually their face. I am quite happy they chose me, which is something really good and I hope it’s also good for all the netballers in Zimbabwe.”
Zimbabwe will face Australia, Fiji and Tonga in Pool A, in the preliminary stages of the World Cup being staged on African soil for the first time.
Currently the technical team led by coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki is working with the local-based players, who got into camp two weeks ago.
They are expected to trim the 21-member squad to 15.
Gems Squad:
Claris Kwaramba, Elizabeth Mushore, Priscilla Ndlovu, Progress Moyo, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Tanaka Makusha, Ursula Ndlovu, Beaula Hlungwani, Tafadzwa Mawango, Nicole Muzanenamo, Thandekile Mahlangu, Thandazile Ndhlovu, Tafadzwa Matura, Sharon Bwanali, Patricia Mauladi, Lorraine Manjoro, Lesibane Munjanji Karaso, Takadanaishe Zimusi, Felisitus Kwangwa, Joice Takaidza, Nalani Makunde.
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