Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PREMIER Netball League queens ZDF might have unleashed a sensation in Nikkie Mandeya, following a blistering restart after a month-long mid-season break.
The uniformed forces outfit registered three key wins at the PNL Bikita bubble at the weekend.
It was during the mid-season break that ZDF Queens signed Mandeya from GreenFuel and she has become an instant hit.
A budding defensive mid-court talent to watch out for, she bagged the Player of the Bubble accolade on her maiden appearance for ZDF.
Her performance was inspirational for the army side’s extended stay at the top of the 16-team log table.
The Defenders have 36 points to their name in 18 games and are yet to taste defeat, while Harare City trail closely with 34 and a solitary loss.
ZDF Queens have netted 1 458 goals and conceded 454 times.
“We hosted three bubbles, one in Harare, another in Masvingo (Bikita) and Beitbridge in that order so basically action was spread out,” said PNL.
“The teams clashed head-on in a display of fierce competition, but what made this truly special was the half-season break highlights which are the signings.
“This break basically allowed teams to regroup, recruit and return to action much stronger. We are glad that the weekend games showed that clubs did good business.”
ZDF Queens were the biggest winners at the Bikita bubble after walloping Buffaloes 107-13.
Muchaneta Luka of Tongogara Queens emerged as the Player of the Bubble for showcasing exceptional defensive skills in all her appearances.
In Beitbridge, Chapungu made a statement with a 90-15 victory over Tongogara.
However, it is their date against Black Rhinos, which was the highlight fixture, ending in a 59-24 win for the Air Force of Zimbabwe side.
Meanwhile, in Harare, P Stars walked away the biggest losers after falling 42-51 to Harare District, 30-56 at the hands of Harare City and 20-50 to PNL debutants Makate.
Makate also did decent business during the mid-season break bringing in Progress Moyo and Stabile Manyukire.
The duo burst onto the spotlight under the now-defunct Platinum Queens before making it to the national team.
They were part of the trailblazing crop that won the championship four times — once under the Rainbow Netball League (2019) and thrice under PNL (2021, 2022 and 2023).
Moyo and Manyukire joined Gems and Zambezi Eagles’ defender Kelly Muyambo, who recently made waves at the Telkom Netball League in South Africa.
The trio is the engine room behind Makate, making the new side a force to reckon with at PNL. It was largely because of her consistency that Muyambo was named “Player of the Bubble” for the fourth time this year.
For their massive performances, all the Player of the Bubble winners were rewarded with $50 courtesy of Brooke Elite Street Group of Companies.
Results:
Bikita Bubble: Mutasa Falcon 8-64 Bikita Minerals; Aspindale 12-96 ZDF Queens; Bikita Minerals 45-19 Aspindale; Mutare City 43-25 Buffaloes Queens; Mutare City 49-18 Mutasa Falcon; ZDF Queens 107-13 Buffaloes Queens
Beitbridge Bubble: Beitbridge 36-37 Tongogara; Chapungu 59-24 Black Rhinos; Imbizo 48- 36 Beitbridge; Black Rhinos 51-22 Tongogara; Chapungu 64-20 Mbizo; Chapungu 90-15 Tongogara; Black Rhinos 49-35 Beitbridge
Harare Bubble: Harare District 51- 42 P Stars; Harare City 56-30 P Stars; Makate 50-20 P Stars
