Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE’S netball giants, Santa Queens, will be aiming to consolidate their place among the Rainbow Netball League’s top three teams when they take on JT Highflyers and ZRP Bulawayo in a crucial bubble fixture at Josiah Tongogara Airbase courts tomorrow (Saturday).
The Manicaland outfit heads into the weekend in a strong position, sitting third on the league standings. Their opponents, JT Highflyers and ZRP Bulawayo, occupy seventh and 13th places respectively.
Santa Queens director, Stanley Chiwambutsa, said the club is eager to maintain its momentum and strengthen its grip on a top-three finish.
“This is a very important bubble for us as we seek to retain our position on the log standings. We believe we have matured as a team and now need to demonstrate that by collecting maximum points against teams below us and competing strongly against those above us,” he said.
The Mutare side will, however, be without three influential players who are currently in national team camp preparing for the 2027 Netball World Cup Qualifiers set for Nairobi, Kenya, from September 19 to 26.
Team captain, Perisinevi Tabviroona, Enesi Chavarika and Elizabeth Mushore are all away on national duty.
Despite the absence of the trio, Chiwambutsa remains confident that the rest of the squad can rise to the occasion.
“We have been training intensely and the girls are highly motivated. They are determined to go out there, perform well and collect maximum points in Bulawayo.
“While we will miss those players because of their experience and quality, their absence has not affected the team’s morale. Instead, it presents a valuable opportunity for others to step up and prove they deserve a place in the first team,” he said.
