daniel chigunwe
Innocent Kurira
Sports Reporter
GEMS coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki is hoping for a positive start at the Africa Netball Championships where they start their campaign against Namibia at the University of Botswana today.
The tournament, which is one of the biggest in Africa is in its 13th edition. It will run up to December 6.
Other countries in the tournament are Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Burundi.
Malawi and Uganda pulled out in the eleventh hour.
The Zimbabwe senior women’s netball team was last in a competitive action at the Netball World Cup in South Africa back in August. Mutsauki’s squad for the regional tournament comprises most of the players who took part at the World Cup.
This will be the Gems’ first competition since the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, where they maintained their 13th place in the international rankings.
The coach said the team has prepared well for the competition.
“We have settled well here in Botswana. Everyone is happy and the mood in camp is positive.
“The team knows what is at stake and they are ready to represent the country. Our preparations have been good and I believe everyone is ready. We have a clean bill of health in camp which is good for us,” said Mutsauki.
He said the game against Namibia won’t be an easy one.
“We face Namibia first, it will not be an easy game. I think it’s one of our toughest games but, judging from what I have seen from the team, I am confident we will get a positive start and set the tone for us to do well in this tournament.”
Given that the Gems are ranked fourth on the continent, the team will be among the strongest competitors.
Online Reporter