Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN-FORM Zimbabwe senior netball team star Nicole Muzanenhamo, one of the hottest shooters in the team at the moment, will miss an opportunity to shine at the Celtic Cup in Scotland.
The 22-year-old GreenFuel player lost her father, Godfrey Muzanenhamo, a former Highlanders player last Friday to gunshot wounds.
Godfrey has tentatively been scheduled to be laid to rest on Friday.
However, with the Gems set to travel for the Invitational tournament tomorrow, a grieving Muzanenhamo might not be part of the team with the team management granting her compassionate leave.
The tournament is scheduled to run between November 26 and 30 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Scotland Thistles will host Northern Ireland and Wales, while the Gems, Ugandan She Cranes and Namibian Desert Jewels come in as invitational teams in a tournament that will also be used for World Netball Rankings.
Gems head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki is satisfied with his side’s preparedness despite training disturbances due to weather conditions.
“The good thing is that we are still fresh from hosting Malawi in international friendlies so our players are still in game mode.
“However, it is a bit difficult to conclusively establish their fitness levels because we are not at full throttle in training but mentally, they are ready.”
Without Muzanenhamo, coach Mutsauki is left with 11 players in camp.
However, for his immediate on-court headache, he will have to make do with the celebrated Ursula Ndlovu as Muzanenhamo’s direct replacement.
Despite being a veteran in the game and largely being entrusted with high-pressure games, Ndlovu is now slower in the legs owing to age.
Nevertheless, she still has the shots and technical acumen and inspires confidence in the relatively new-look Gems outfit that still needs international exposure.
Mutsauki is confident that he has enough depth at his disposal especially considering that Australia-based Nalani Makunde is scheduled to link up with the team in Scotland.
Makunde only featured for the Gems once, at the World Cup in 2023, where her blistering combination with Muzanenhamo left fans in admiration.
Team:
Prudence Sibanda, Ursula Ndlovu, Thandekile Mahlangu, Kelly Muyambo, Nikki Mundeya, Takadanaishe Zimusi, Sharon Bwanali, Sharleen Makusha, Claris Kwaramba, Anifa Luya, and Thandazile Ndlovu.
