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Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi
THE Zimbabwe national netball Under-20 side, the Young Gems, made sure they won’t leave Malawi empty-handed after clinching bronze at the ongoing African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games here yesterday.
They accounted for the hosts Malawi 46-44 in the tightly-contested bronze match at the Griffins Saenda.
The Simbarashe Mlambo-coached charges, who were one of the odds on favourites to win gold along with eventual champions South Africa, had finished fourth in the round-robbin competition. They had won two games against Botswana and Zambia but fell short against South Africa and Malawi while also drawing with Namibia.
That left them having to play for third place against the hosts Malawi who had finished in third place.
And the match was a close contest with Malawi enjoying a lot of support from the stands.
The Young Gems went to the first quarter break carrying what appeared to be a healthy 14-6 lead but somehow allowed their opponents to find a way back into the match in the second quarter.
The Zimbabweans went to the half-time break trailing 22-21 and they appeared to have lost it with Malawi dictating the proceedings, especially in the second quarter.
However, the presence of high-ranking officials from the Government, including Director of Sport in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Eugenia Chidhakwa, and the Sports Commission Director General, Sebastian Garikai, among others, appeared to have instilled the fighting spirit in the Young Gems camp. They elbowed their opponents in a late super show to ensure they grabbed bronze.
Mlambo was happy with his charges’ performance, especially going into the last moments.
“I am delighted with the way we managed to wrestle the home side away from the bronze medal.
“It was always going to be a tall order for us playing for bronze against the home team, especially with the support they have received throughout the tournament,” said Mlambo.
“We had to talk to the girls in the final break to keep their nerves under check and to relax a bit.
“They took the instructions and what a show they produced. I am proud of the achievement although our goal was to do better.
“For now we take this medal and a lot of positives from the tournament. We know we will do well going forward.”
Meanwhile, by late yesterday afternoon athletics had added two medals in high jump with Hassan Milanzi coming second while the girls 4x400m relay team of Thelma Majinjiwa, Tsitsi Karanda, Ncube Nontokozo and Brenda Njodzi clinched bronze.
More athletes had reached the finals which were scheduled to be staged late in the evening.
But, it is in tennis that Team Zimbabwe is guaranteed at least 14 medals including six gold after writing an intriguing piece on the court.
They dominated in singles, doubles and mixed doubles as well.
Rufaro Magarira was leading from the front after she beat compatriot Tadiwanashe Mauchi in the singles semi-finals to set a date with another local fellow Sasha Chimedza.
She was also scheduled to partner Chimedza in the doubles finals with the two facing a pair of their compatriots Tanyaradzwa Midzi and Mauchi.
The boys were also showing a good account of themselves by late in the day.
The girls volleyball team also won bronze after beating Botswana in the third-place tie 3-0.
Online Reporter