Sundaymail Editor
Veronica Gwaze
THE Zimbabwe senior netball team will be banking on using their tour of Manchester to polish up their performances ahead of the World Netball Cup qualifiers.
The Gems are set for a series of friendlies that will run between July 17 and July 24.
They include games against Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
After their return from England, the team will shift attention to World Cup qualifiers scheduled for Pretoria, South Africa, in August.
At the regional tournament, they will be fighting for one of the two spots to qualify for the global showpiece slated for Cape Town in July 2023.
Gems coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki said the trip to Manchester should consolidate a good start towards their build-up to the qualifiers.
“After the World Cup in 2019, we had to start rebuilding because some senior players retired … We cannot mourn; it is part of the game.
“As a coach, you always plan ahead because such things happen.
“For us to get to the World Cup stage again, the youngsters need as much experience as possible,” he said.
“The Manchester experience will help them acclimatise; they will at least have a feel of what it is like on the global stage and know what to expect.”
After a pleasing performance at their maiden World Netball Cup appearance in 2019 in Liverpool, Mutsauki underscored the need to qualify again.
The Gems finished eighth at the tournament but left a lasting impression.
Back then, Mutsauki was assistant to Lloyd Makunde.
“The duties I had while assisting Makunde are pretty much the same, save that now there is a lot more that I am answerable for,” added the Gems’ gaffer.
“Makunde always gave me the freedom to be myself, he valued my views and suggestions even in the toughest encounters.
“I learnt a lot during that time,” he said.
Mutsauki, who also mentors Premier Netball League side Harare City, is satisfied with the Gems’ progress so far.
They are expected to regroup soon ahead of Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations (COSANA) games scheduled for June 12 to June 17 in Malawi.
They would be joined by the Young Gems when they travel to Malawi.
“Soon, we will be back in camp with a smaller squad, and this time we will be looking at building combinations as we approach some crucial competitions.
“However, the door will still be open for those who deserve a chance to be in the national team.
“We want to build a strong squad, so we will not deprive anyone who has what it takes.
“Recently, we had a one-day training camp and it went well.”
In their next camp, the squad will include players from the Rainbow Amateur Netball League.
With skipper Felisitus Kwangwa away, vice captain Claris Kwaramba is expected to lead the team.
“No spot is guaranteed.
“As senior players we will have to defend our positions and at the same time the youngsters have to fight for the bib,” said Kwaramba.
“Experience should work to our advantage.
“We also have a lot of young blood and we will bank on their speed, as that is type of netball being played globally.
“It’s all about pace.”
Online Reporter