adminMthokozisi Dube Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE faces Swaziland in the opening African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games netball match at White City this morning.It is a must-win encounter for the hosts as they need a confidence booster in the early stages of the tournament.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport at their training session at Hillside Teachers’ College yesterday, Simbarashe Mlambo, the assistant coach said their preparations have been smooth with morale high in camp.
“We’ve lined up the best team for the match and we aren’t going to underrate Swaziland,” said Mlambo.
Zimbabwe will bank on the services of veteran captain Felistus Gwangwa, Patricia Mauladi, Sharon Bwanali and Nomagugu Makhalima who once played Swaziland in 2013 during the Under-17 championships in Namibia.
“We expect the girls who’ve played our opponent before to give us that boost,” said Mlambo.
Zimbabwe’s other players expected to make a mark are vice-captain, Lessley Lokwadi who plays a goal attacking role.
Meanwhile, the competitions manager Menfree Tanyanyiwa expressed satisfaction with the netball courts at White City Stadium.
“We want to appreciate government efforts in supporting the youths particularly through building the stadia which I believe are of high quality ,” said Tanyanyiwa.
He expressed optimism that the Games will leave a legacy for the people of Bulawayo and the nation at large.
derick.khumalo