Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER tasting the glory of playing at the World Cup, Zimbabwe’s senior netball team, the Gems, are in a desperate bid to make it three in a row.
The Nedbank-backed Gems are winding up preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers set for the Moi International Sports Centre’s Kasarani Indoor Arena, in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 19 to 26.
Eight nations will battle for two available World Cup slots, with South Africa and Uganda having already qualified based on World Netball Rankings.
The qualifiers will also double as the African Championships and will run concurrently with the men’s Africa Cup.
Next year’s World Cup is slated for Sydney, Australia, and the Gems are hoping to join 15 other nations at the prestigious showcase.
The Gems have been oozing confidence ahead of the African edition of the qualifiers.
Gems assistant coach Tatenda Shinya is confident the team is polished and ready to fight for a slot.
“In the first weeks in camp we were focusing on fitness, then the past two weeks it has largely been about combination play,” said Shinya.
“We wanted as many combinations as possible in every department.
“We put in the extra shifts, and I am happy to say we now have a strong and solid squad.”
Shinya noted that ZINA also ensured preparations were up to scratch to avoid a repeat of the 2022 mistakes.
Back then, a cash-strapped Gems outfit camped under difficult conditions, with their journey to South Africa by bus only confirmed at the 11th hour.
Now, with Nedbank backing, the team’s camping conditions and general player welfare have improved.
The sponsorship has also allowed the Gems to participate in more invitational tournaments, giving them exposure and points to improve their World Netball Ranking.
In the past year, Zimbabwe have hopped from position 13 on the World Netball Rankings to 11th.
With the funding, ZINA also launched the Zambezi Eagles, a development project meant to reliably feed into the senior team.
Shinya said this has helped both the senior team and the development side gain enough exposure and has made World Cup qualifier preparations easier.
“All these platforms helped them gain experience and to have a feel for what it is like on the international stage so they know what to expect,” he said.
“Unlike back then, now we have more time to train and prepare for the qualifiers without pressure.
“With the freedom to have a wider pool of players in camp, it means more competition, which is good for the technical team because we won’t have a selection headache.”
The Gems have at least 20 players in camp in Harare.
Goal Shooter Thandazile Ndhlovu recently joined camp, while Kelly Muyambo is also available for final selection after recovering from a lengthy injury.
Elizabeth Mushore is back from maternity leave, and fresh legs have also been added to the team.
Shinya said the return of Ndhlovu, Mushore and Muyambo has boosted the team’s confidence.
“It gives confidence to the team to have the trio in camp. Their experience will work to our advantage, although they are not guaranteed spots, so they have to work hard like everyone else,” he said.
“We are happy that even the rookies have blended in well and the competition is massive. We can see that they are ready for duty.
“We are happy to have worked with Ugandan coach Fred Mugerwa during preparations; we got a lot of important lessons from him.
“He has a lot of experience, and he taught so much.
“Mugerwa was impressed with the talent in Zimbabwe, and hearing that from a renowned figure is huge for us . . . It gives us hope for another World Cup dance,” added Shinya.
Meanwhile, the men’s national team, the Golden Flyers, have pulled out of the African contest due to funding challenges.
