tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
Zimbabwe senior netball team assistant coach Tatenda Shinya is confident that his side will give Australia a good run for their money, when the two teams meet at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 next month.
The global tournament gets underway in Cape Town, South Africa, July 28 to August 6, and the Gems will face the Diamond Aussies in their opening encounter.
The Aussies are the top-ranked side and head into the global showcase among the favourites for the title.
Shinya, for his part, has described the current Australian side as a “strong and spirited” team, whom they will have to approach with caution.
The gaffer is aware that the Australian side have been down to serious business, seeking to regain the world title after losing by one goal to New Zealand in the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 final.
After the heart-breaking fall, they went on to claim Commonwealth Games gold in 2022.
“We are aware of what we are getting into, Australia are 10-time world champions and title favourites.
“They are also a big team, and this means we have to be at our very best,” said Shinya.
“We are the underdogs. Our focus is on having a real understanding of what we are trying to achieve, and pushing for it as a team,” he said.
Following an impressive outing against six men teams at the weekend, Shinya said team preparations are on track and his charges are confident of an impressive World Cup performance.
At their World Cup debut in 2019, the Gems finished off the tournament in position eight.
However, this time around, they are eyeing a top-four finish.
“We are happy with how the squad is coming together,” said the assistant coach.
“We, however, still need to work on the attacking side of things and perfect our finishing.
“By facing Australia, automatically you inherit a history.
“They are a legacy, and your performance against them will capture everyone’s attention, so we want to give everyone something positive to talk about,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu