Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE’S rapidly rising netball outfit – Santa Queens – who have been making waves in the 2025 Rainbow Netball League, are back on the road, embarking on a long journey to Shamva for a daunting challenge against the highly rated Black Mambas.
The Shamva Gold Mine venue will host the first encounter, featuring Filchrist against Black Mambas, which promises to be an exhilarating encounter.
Filchrist’s youthful and talented squad will face off against Black Mambas’ experienced players, boasting a wealth of knowledge and skill.
This will be followed by Black Mambas against Santa Queens, where the former will aim to continue their winning streak against a determined outfit that has undergone a transformative era coming into the current season.
Filchrist will then come up against Santa Queens, seeking to edge out the Mutare side in a clash likely to be closely contested.
However, Santa Queens will undoubtedly be looking forward to securing an outright win.
These matches promise to be intense, with each team seeking to gain an advantage and move up the log standing. Santa Queens coach, Tapiwa ‘Taps’ Chirinda said: “We have been on a high, and so have Black Mambas, considering they are above us on the log standings. I think we will definitely give them a run for their money, all things being equal, given how well we are gelling as a team.
“We are applying new concepts correctly, so our chances of winning are highly favourable. However, Black Mambas are seasoned campaigners with years of experience at this level, whereas we have mostly unknown names being built up. On paper, they are stronger, but I am sure we can pull off another shocker like last season. We are not going into this game complacently, though.”
In the Hwange Colliery bubble, Hyda faces GreenFuel in a match that could go either way. Hyda’s speed and agility will be matched against GreenFuel’s strategic gameplay.
This will be followed by GreenFuel against Yadah, where the Ethanol Girls will seek to overcome their opponents.
Hyda will then square up against Yadah, aiming to assert dominance.
These teams are expected to engage in fierce competition, making for an entertaining spectacle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
RANL Weekend Fixtures:
Saturday, May 24:
Rosscamp Bulawayo bubble: ZRP Byo v Khami, Khami v Chibwe, ZRP Byo v Chibwe:
Hwange Colliery bubble: Hyda v GreenFuel, GreenFuel v Yadah, Hyda v Yadah:
Shamva Gold Mine bubble: Filchrist v Black Mambas; Black Mambas v Santa; Filchrist v Santa:
White City bubble: Mthala v Flow Angels; Flow Angels v ZRP Masvingo: Mthala v ZRP Masvingo
Belvedere Teachers College bubble: Belvedere v Correctional; Correctional v Golden Valley; Belvedere v Golden Valley:
Mutare Farm Prison bubble: Tenax v JT Highflyers; JT Highflyers v RioZim; Tenax v RioZim:
Gweru Main Camp bubble: ZRP Vixens v Glow Petroleum; Glow Petroleum v Ruwa; ZRP Vixens v Ruwa:
Sunday, May 25
White City bubble: Mthala v Chibwe (9am).
Online Reporter