Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S just a day to go before the Africa Senior Athletics Championships come to life in Accra, Ghana and Team Zimbabwe is eager to deliver.
The meet featuring the continent’s top athletes runs from tomorrow to Sunday at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
Zimbabwe’s 12-member team consists of nine men and three women.
The spotlight will be on top sprinters — Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba as well as the men’s 4x400m relay team as competition takes off tomorrow.
Ashley Miller takes the lead in the women’s section. She is up for the 400m hurdles and 4x400m mixed relay.
Anesu Nyahuma and Samukeliso Ndebele are the other two female athletes that made the team. Nyahuma will compete in the 400m and 4x400m mixed relay, while Ndebele is going for 100m and 200m.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, head coach Phakamile Lisimati confirmed all athletes are now in Ghana, with Charamba arriving in Accra yesterday. “All our athletes are now in Ghana.
“We are currently sorting out one or two logistics that have to do with our accommodation, our feeding and our transportation to the competition venue.
“Our team is in a good mood, very highly motivated. Everyone is eager to compete and represent the country to the best of their ability.
“We are hoping that our athletes will perform to their best, chasing World (Championships) qualifications, chasing individual times, and also trying to see if we can prepare ourselves to be on the podium and get as many medals as we can,” Lisimati said.
At the previous edition, in 2024, Zimbabwe had two silver medals from Makarawu in the 200m and from Chengetayi Mapaya in the triple jump.
However, Mapaya did not make the team this time around due to work commitments.
Zimbabwe will be pinning their hopes on top sprinters Charamba and Makarawu.
They are also expected to be part of the 4x100m relay team that will include seasoned runner Ngoni Makusha and Methembe Tshuma. The men’s 4x400m relay team made up of Thandazani Ndhlovu, Dennis Hove, Gerren Muwishi and Leeford Zuze is also hopeful of a podium finish after an outstanding performance at the World Relays a week ago.
Muwishi, Zuze, Hove and Ndhlovu are also set to compete in 400m as well.
Zuze and Ndhlovu have posted sub-45 in their recent performances, and it’s a confidence booster for them going into this meet.
Miller, who placed fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles at the 2024 edition, has also had a positive build-up and will be hoping to continue with her good form at the continental championships.
The team was set to have a feel of the track late yesterday, and another training session is scheduled for today.
“We are going to have our first session this evening and continue again tomorrow (today).
“The weather this side is very humid and hot . . . It’s a different weather altogether from our local weather, so our team will be going out for their first session later today . . . Feel the track, see how it is and just check on a few technical issues with our team as we wait and prepare for the competition.
“Otherwise, our team is in a very good mood,” Lisimati said.
Team
Men: Leeford Zuze (400m, 4x400m relay), Dennis Hove (400m, 4x400m relay), Thandazani Ndhlovu (400m, 4x400m relay), Gerren Muwishi (400m, 4x400m relay), Derick Matutu (4x400m mixed relay), Methembe Tshuma (200m, 4x100m relay), Tapiwanashe Makarawu (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay), Makanakaishe Charamba (200m,4x100m relay), Ngoni Makusha (100m, 4x100m relay)
Women: Ashley Miller (400mH, 4x400m mixed relay), Samukeliso Ndebele (100m, 200m) Anesu Nyahuma (400m, 4x400m mixed relay).
