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Ellina Mhlanga, Senior Sports Reporter
UNDER-20 men’s team coach Tafadzwa Madure has expressed satisfaction with the progress they are making in their build-up for the International Handball Federation Trophy Continental Phase to be held next month Ethiopia.
The tournament caters for Under-20 (junior) and Under-18 (youth) teams.
Zimbabwe qualified for the Under-20 age-group after winning the regional event in May.
Participating teams are expected to be in Ethiopia by November 1, with the actual competition starting on November 2.
It will run until November 7.
The squad recently participated in the Brymaton handball tournament held in Bulawayo as part of their preparations.
Prior to the tournament the coaches gave the players individual programmes to work with and they used the platform to assess the progress made.
“We managed to have the guys in for the tournament, they were playing in different teams because we were just assessing them on the aspects, we instructed them to work on during the training programme we gave them to work with.
“We wanted them to play as a team but we shall do that at the University of Zimbabwe annual tournament 8th edition set for the weekend of 19th.
“The individual performance was good and we are now focusing on building team coordination during the next camp. We really wanted more camping time as a team,” Madure said.
They are scheduled to regroup this month for the final camp with a 22-member provisional team, which will then be trimmed to 14 ahead of their departure to Ethiopia.
“We want to camp for two weeks before departure. We shall have the team in camp then we trim the squad to the final 14.
“So now we want to build on what they did during that training programme we gave them, assess their weaknesses and strengths but now work together as a team.
“So, what we were mainly focusing on (during the tournament in Bulawayo), was implementation of what we tasked them to do during the break they had,” said Madure.
They have had some periodic camps but due to limited resources, Madure said they could not have as many as they had wanted considering the level of competition they will face in Ethiopia.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation secretary general, Edson Chirowodza, said despite the challenges, the team will take part in the event.
“The team is going. We have registered the provisional players, we confirmed participation. The challenge we have is to have them all in camp because some have just started exams.
“The coaches now need to finalise the team because we also need to declare the final 14.”
The national association is also hoping to bring in Felix Manyani, who is now based in the United States.
“He was the team captain and the only player who was part of the previous team that participated at the Continental Championship (last year). So, we needed his experience in the team.
“So, we are still working on the logistics to see if he can make it,” said Chirowodza.
Provisional Team:
Blessing Botoman, Thomas Chiramba, Namishibb Gamanya, Moore Winston Gatsi, Nkosilathi Khumalo, Crayne Vincent, Blessing Magozore, Brandon Mahachi, Mathew Majoko, Felix Manyani, Russell Masuku, Tinotenda Matanda, Takudzwa Zoe Mawire, Munyaradzi Mhlanga, Takunda Munotunami, Blessed Musarurwa, Charles Ndoro, Donnelly Shonhiwa, Thomas Shown, Tanaka Zvarimwa, Tanaka Tore, Tanaka Bhiri.
Online Reporter