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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE City netball team manager Seyehlukile Sithole believes they have an uphill task this weekend when they take on some of the top teams in the third round matches of the Premier Netball League scheduled for Harare.
The games will be played at Stodart Netball Complex in Mbare.
The matches were initially set to take place in Beitbridge but they have been moved to Harare.
Harare City are scheduled to take on reigning champions Platinum Queens, ZDF Queens, Beitbridge Border Queens, Harare District and Zupco.
The PNL games are played after every two weeks in clusters. But they had an extended break due to the Easter holiday as last week’s games were moved to this Saturday.
Platinum Queens and ZDF Queens are among the leading teams in the league.
Sithole, who is in charge of the team as head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki is in camp with the Gems, said it’s going to be tough facing the two sides this weekend.
“We are trying to push our players in training as we prepare for the games. The challenge is we were disturbed by the holiday, we couldn’t train and we have two tough games against ZDF and Platinum.
“We also have a short period for training because some of our players will be at work and when we meet it’s for two hours, and usually it’s three days per week. So its six hours of training per week, so it’s a challenge for players to be fit for the challenge we are facing this weekend.
“It’s different from teams like Platinum Queens, who are just focusing on netball,” said Sithole.
Harare City will be missing the services of defenders Assa Zimusi and Rudo Simbi, who are with the national team in camp.
Sithole said their absence is a major setback as they also lost some of their key players who joined other clubs at the beginning of the season.
The likes of defenders Kudakwashe Muchengi and Miriam Chiwawa moved to GreenFuel while two mid-court players Nomatter Changata and Natasha Rwambiwa also left.
“We have tried our best but we also have some players currently with the national team in camp. Our team is weakened. We also lost some of our key players.
“We are trying but it’s tough because every season we lose players and we have to rebuild again,” said Sithole.
However, she is hopeful of their matches against Harare District, Zupco and Beitbridge Border Queens.
“I think we can win against some of them except for these two, ZDF and Platinum. But we will try our best under the circumstances.
“We also have some injuries, our shooters, Primrose Antony and Mercy Chinyama are injured. So we will see how it goes,” said Sithole. Harare City are placed eighth on the log table after two rounds of matches with eight points from five matches. They have so far lost one game.
ZDF Queens and Platinum Queens have played more games but have also lost a game each. They are occupying second and third place respectively. And going into Saturday’s games they will be out for maximum points.
PNL secretary general Liberty Mhizha said they moved the games to Harare due to logistical challenges.
Saturday
Fixtures
Platinum Queens vs ZDF Queens, Platinum Queens vs Harare City, Platinum Queens vs Rhinos, Platinum Queens vs Zupco, ZDF Queens vs Harare City, ZDF Queens vs Zupco, GreenFuel vs Ngezi Platinum, GreenFuel vs Rhinos, GreenFuel vs Mutare City, Mutare City vs Zupco, GreenFuel vs Harare District, Ngezi Platinum vs Beitbridge Border Queens, Ngezi Platinum vs Rhinos, Ngezi Platinum vs Zupco, Beitbridge Border Queens vs Harare City, Harare City vs Harare District, Harare City vs Zupco, Beitbridge Border Queens vs Rhinos, Beitbridge Border Queens vs Mutare City, Beitbridge Border Queens vs Harare District, Harare District vs Zupco.
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