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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
WITH the senior national netball team stepping up preparations for the forthcoming Vitality Netball World Cup, seasoned player Paidamoyo Tinoza says teamwork will go a long way in ensuring they deliver their best at the event.
Zimbabwe are set to make their second successive appearance at the global show-piece in Cape Town, South Africa from July 28 to August 6.
They first competed at the World Cup in 2019, in Liverpool, England.
“Preparing for the World Cup it’s not easy, it’s a tough task because you have to give it your all. So from the first day to now we are giving our best. We are giving our all to make things work for the World Cup ahead of us.
“I think as a team we need to have one goal. What is it that we want to achieve at the World Cup? From there we have a strong foundation and by the time we get onto the court, we are going onto the court to give our all, to fight for the best because the name we are carrying is Zimbabwe.
“Representing the country it’s not easy because we have a brand that we are carrying. We have a name we are carrying . . . So I think as Zimbabwe Gems we need to have teamwork.
“Secondly we are not supposed to give up no matter what (happens) even if we face Australia in our first game, whoever we face, we have to give our all.
“We have to motivate one another to reach our goal. Motivation is important as a team and lastly, I think we should go there knowing what we want at the end of the day. We want to make a name as netball Zimbabwe,” said Tinoza.
Tinoza’s last assignment with the Gems was last year in June when they took part at the Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations (COSANA) Tri-Nations Cup in Malawi.
She missed the Spar Diamond Challenge that was held in Pretoria, South Africa in November and is hoping to be part of the team that will carry the country’s flag at the World Cup.
“At an individual level, there is competition, that’s the first thing. But for myself I am not putting myself under pressure because the moment you put yourself under pressure you make unnecessary mistakes.
“So on my side I am calm, I am doing what needs to be done and I am giving my best. I am giving my all because at the end of the day you want to make the final 15,” said Tinoza.
Gems goal attacker Ursula Ndlovu would want the Gems to surpass their previous performance at the 2019 World Cup where they finished on position eight. She missed the first camp that was held between March and April as she was still recovering from a surgery following some health complications.
“I would like us to surpass our previous performance in 2019. We have to go and fight, no one wants to lose, we all want to win. So we just need to work together as a team.
“I am feeling much better now but it was tough . . . I feel that I am geared to go. I have been playing at club level for the last two months.
“There is so much competition and you just have to work hard as a player to earn your place in the team,” said Ndlovu.
The 21-member squad will be trimmed to 15.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter