Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
QUALIFYING for the continental stage was the easy part.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation president Taurai Muberekwa now wants the Under-20 men’s side to prove they belong there.
The junior team booked their place at the Continental Phase of the IHF Trophy Africa after winning the Zone VI Trophy earlier this month, and attention has already shifted to what comes next.
The tournament is expected to be held in Cote d’Ivoire in September and, after two previous appearances ended at the group stages, Muberekwa says Zimbabwe cannot afford to approach this campaign as another participation exercise.
The federation wants camps to start early as preparations begin for what could be a bigger test against the continent’s strongest teams. “We are basically saying we are having teams which are getting into camp very soon. It’s our priority area.
“We also have the senior women who are also coming into camp this month of June and going for the IHF Challenge Trophy. Those are the programmes right in front of us now,” said Muberekwa.
Zimbabwe’s qualification was an achievement in itself, especially considering the limited resources that affected preparations for the regional tournament.
But Muberekwa says the next step demands a different level of planning.
“It’s an achievement to qualify for the continental stage. We don’t take it lightly, regardless of the fact that this is the third time. This is a new group altogether, new players and so forth.
“We will also be competing with other nations with new players.
“And going forward, there is a difference between going to compete and going to fulfil fixtures.
“Those two things must be separated, and they can only be separated through proper planning and preparations for the challenge before us.”
Zimbabwe have struggled to make an impact at this level before, and Muberekwa says the target is no longer simply making the trip.
“We have been seeing our teams being knocked out at the group stages.
“We need to pass that stage.
“It’s now at a continental stage where we are gathering the best teams from all the zones in Africa fighting for places at the African Championship, which is also a qualifier to the World Cup.”
The federation is now casting its net wider as the technical team looks at possible adjustments ahead of the tournament.
Some of the stand-out Under-18 players from the Zambia campaign are also under consideration as Zimbabwe tries to build a stronger squad before September.
