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Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
WITH less than a month to go before the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 comes to life, Zimbabwe players are hoping to surpass their previous performance at the last edition.
The 16-team tournament is running from July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Zimbabwe announced their final team this week and the Nedbank-sponsored Gems will be going a gear up to fine tune their preparations.
The technical team opted for experience with a number of players who represented the country at the 2019 World Cup forming the core of the travelling side.
The likes of goal shooter Sharon Bwanali, captain Felisitus Kwangwa, Joice Takaidza, Sharleen Makusha and vice-captain Claris Kwaramba are part of the final team.
Bwanali believes they can build on their experience from the 2019 World Cup going into this year’s competition.
“It is possible to finish in the top four. That’s our wish. Yes, it might be difficult but that’s our wish.
“We have been to the World Cup before, we learnt a lot there and we are expecting that everything we learnt and what we saw from other teams, we can build on that so that we bring back better results.
“I know people have seen me playing and I want to say that I will do more and give the best that I can, so that we push for better rankings and have more players making it into other top leagues outside the country. We are going to do our best,” said Bwanali.
Vice-captain Claris Kwaramba is also optimistic of an improved outcome. “It is definitely achievable considering this is our second time to be at the World Cup. We are playing in Africa, we have more fans coming and the weather conditions on this part of the continent, we are used to them,” said Kwaramba.
Zimbabwe are up against Australia, Fiji and Tonga in Pool A, in the preliminary stages.
This is the second time that Zimbabwe and Australia have been drawn in the same pool at the preliminary stages. In 2019 they were in the same pool.
The Gems are aware it’s not going to be easy in Cape Town and Progress Moyo said they will take it one game at a time.
“We have said top four but I think the most important thing is we play our hearts out in our group stage, so that we make it to the next stage. We take it one step at a time.
“I always wished to get this opportunity. I travelled as part of the development programme in 2019. I think that was important for me, just seeing others play whilst you are in the terraces supporting, you get that feeling that next time I will be part of those playing while others are cheering for me.
“So I came back, the lockdown happened so much happened but I tried to work extra hard to get back in shape and to make it into this year’s World Cup. I am grateful to God for this opportunity,” Moyo said.
Goal attack Tafadzwa Matura, who was one of the outstanding players during the qualifiers last August could not hide her joy after being named in the final team and urged the nation to rally behind the team.
“I feel honoured, just being part of the Gems team. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to represent the country.
“We are appealing to the nation to support us and we promise to work hard to get good results. We are aiming for the top four. If we fail the top four, then top six. But our wish is to fulfil what we promised,” Matura said.
Beaula Hlungwani, also to represent the country at the global stage for the first time is excited and promised to deliver.
“I am so happy and I am so excited to be selected to be one of the mid-court players who are going to represent Zimbabwe at the 2023 World Cup.
“But what I can say is we as Gems are going to make it. Just support us, we will be playing our hearts out so that we maintain our ranking as the Zimbabwean team.”
The team is expected to leave for Cape Town on July 20.
Gems Team
Shooters: Joice Takaidza, Tafadzwa Matura, Sharon Bwanali, Nalani Makunde,
Mid-court: Nicole Muzanenamo, Beaula Hlungwani, Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo.
Defenders: Felisitus Kwangwa, Takadanaishe Zimusi, Elizabeth Mushore, Sharleen Makusha.
Reserves
Ursula Ndlovu, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Tafadzwa Mawango.
Online Reporter