Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PREMIER Netball and Rainbow Netball leagues promise to be exciting in the upcoming season with teams from both sides active in the transfer window.
Some of the teams have resumed their pre-season training with PNL defending champions ZDF Queens, and runners-up Harare City, already in action.
They have both beefed up their teams.
Chapungu, who completed last season in third position, are doing their business quietly.
This publication understands that the Air Force of Zimbabwe side have wooed at least 10 players.
Gems stars Defender Kelly Muyambo, Yemurai Seveni and mid-court player Anifa Luya are said to be on the move to Chapungu.
Beaular Dhaure, Lubelihle Khumalo, Beyonce Ndaradzi and Primrose Kamwendo.
Muyambo joins from Makate Hyfliers, while Luya and Dhaure will join them.
PNL spokesperson, Innocent Ndiya, said preparations were going on well, citing that clubs were busy with preparations for the new season.
“Preparations are well on course so far but, as a league, we are yet to come up with the final date on when games will resume although it will be around early March,” said Ndiya.
Following a successful season, which had 16 teams competing for honours, the PNL only relegated two sides – Beit Bridge Stars and Mutasa Falcons.
However, as the league still seek to spread their wings, Ndiya said they will be promoting four teams.
They are set to open their calendar with Division One play-offs next month, after which the four teams will be confirmed for promotion into the top-flight league.
“We are still in a drive to promote our game so we only relegated two and we are going to promote four taking the number of our teams to a desired 18,” he said.
“Our aim is to have at least a team in every district although we cannot accommodate all of them into the top-flight, the Zimbabwe Netball Association have an active Division One league to house others.”
Meanwhile, RANL defending champions Correctional Queens will be starting their pre-season tentatively in the second week of February.
However, they are already active in the transfer window, strengthening their squad as they aim to defend their title to dominate for the third year running.
In Chisumbanje, GreenFuel are once again “rebuilding” after losing some of their players to rival teams.
At the beginning of last year, they were also left hugely shaken after the departure of stalwarts Thandazile Ndlovu, Faith Mutero, Kelly Muyambo, Sanele Ncube, Thandekile Mahlangu and Unkemetsi Mabuku.
Ndlovu, Mutero, Muyambo, Mahlangu were all vital cogs in the Gems squad as the Chisumbanje-based side rose to be the major feeder into the senior national team.
