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 currently open transfer window.
Some of the teams have resumed their pre-season training with PNL defending champions ZDF Queens and their runners-up Harare City already in action after beefing-up their teams.
However, while much attention has been on them, Chapungu, who completed last season in third position, are doing their business quietly, although with all the intent.
This publication understands that the Air Force of Zimbabwe side are the most active in the transfer market with at least 10 players being linked with the club.
Gems stars Defender Kelly Muyambo, Yemurai Seveni and Mid-court player Anifa Luya are said to be on the move to Chapungu together with Beaular Dhaure, Lubelihle Khumalo, Beyonce Ndaradzi and Primrose Kamwendo.
Muyambo joins from Makate Hyfliers, while Luya and Dhaure were formerly with Flow Angels.
Ndaradzi and Khumalo are moving from GreenFuel where they were some of the outstanding players in their maiden season in RANL last year.
PNL spokesperson, Innocent Ndiya, said preparations are going on well, citing that clubs are 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 resume although it will be around early March,” said Ndiya.
Following a successful last season which had 16 teams competing for honours, PNL only relegated two sides, BeitBridge Stars and Mutasa Falcons.
However, as the league still seek to spread their wings, Ndiya said they will be promoting four teams.
Resultantly, 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 top-flight.
“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. Losing all players who commanded a spot in the starting line-up, coach Sibonginkosi Dube had to press the reset button.
Banking on rookies, she completed the season amongst the top performers and, this time, she is back on the re-building once again.
