Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in Nairobi, Kenya
ZIMBABWE senior netball team Technical Advisor Fred Mugerwa is impressed with the Gems’ quick response in grasping his concept ahead of the Netball World Cup appearance at the 2027 Qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mugerwa was roped in to boost the team’s technical bench, spending a fortnight in camp in Harare before returning to his home country, Uganda.
The veteran later linked up with the team in Kenya, where they are counting down to the Qualifiers which get underway this Saturday and conclude on the 26th of September.
Drawing together 10 African nations, the qualifying tournament doubles as the Africa Cup and runs concurrently with the Men’s Africa Cup.
Zimbabwe open their campaign against Botswana, at 2PM.
The Ugandan tactician, credited with transforming the She Cranes into a continental powerhouse, has over the past weeks been working with the Gems intensifying their preparations for the qualifiers.
During the preparations, Mugerwa while maintaining the Zimbabwean style of play, also drilled his possession-based philosophy into the Gem`s, urging them to prioritize ball retention over rushed forward play.
“As a coach I believe in holding on to the ball instead of rushing it forward, this is the philosophy that has taken my teams thus far,” he said.
“We would rather take longer to reach the shooting circle so that we get there safely than to rush the passes and commit errors or get intercepted.
“This is part of what we have been working on-possession-based netball, making sure that we are in the right position at the right time and letting the ball move correctly so that we reach our end and get a perfect goal.”
ZINA recently opened the door for a significant chunk of young locally-based players to prove themselves and claim spots in the senior team.
Mugerwa said he is satisfied with how quickly the youthful squad has adapted to the new philosophy, and the demands of the game.
“Zimbabwe have got talent and massive potential, as of now I am satisfied with how they adjusted quickly to what we have taught them, they have got the pedigree to be a real force in Africa,” he said.
“Now we have to see how far they can go in implementing it during the competition, game-situation also needs mental strength so this tournament will be a real test.”
Despite the short time that Mugerwa has been with the Gems, he notes that the Ropafadzo Mutsauki mentored side are underestimated on the international stage.
He said, the Gems need to shrug off the ‘underdog’ tag, and develop self-belief to re-image themselves as emerging netball giants.
“The few weeks that I have been with the team I have seen that the team is not as bad as people think,” he said.
“There are a few areas that need attention so that the potential can manifest and let many be warned that Zimbabwe are not underdogs and I think this is something that even the Gems themselves should understand and also develop self-belief.
“With what I have seen, I think this time they will show the world something different with qualifying for the World Cup obviously being the target.”
In training yesterday Mugerwa cut a composed figure when he faced the media and charmed the lot with his measured humility and vision.
“We want to make the country proud and to bring a lot of patriotism into what the players do especially in this era when globally netball is still being popularized,” he said.
“The Gems are representing the country and we want them to actually showcase the talent that is in Zimbabwe, so we are putting our heart and soul in this journey and we do everything for the badge.”
derick.khumalo