Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga in Sun City, South Africa
ZAMBEZI Eagles assistant coach Stembile Banda is looking forward to a better show when they return for the Telkom Netball League Power Week Two after finishing the first week on a positive note.
The Zimbabwe select side secured a 57-49 win against defending champions Free State Crinums yesterday in their last game for Power Week One at the Sun City Superbowl.
The team’s participation is in the form of friendly matches and is part of the Zimbabwe Netball Association’s roadmap to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The Zimbabwean side, being supported by Nedbank, registered four wins and lost an equal number of games.
Yesterday’s victory was their fourth, and Banda said they have partly attained their objective, that is to evaluate and assess some of the rising talent.
“I would say partly. As we coaches assessed, we saw that we have some strengths and weaknesses in our players. And already there’s a solution,” said Banda.
“There is a way forward in trying to rectify the weaknesses that we have so that we upgrade our game.
“Other weaknesses need to be worked on over a long period of time.
“But we are saying we are quite happy with the improvement.
“They have improved a lot in terms of coordination and terms of exposure, the games exposed them to gain a lot of experience.”
She highlighted some of the areas they need to work on.
“We need to find some depth in midcourt. We work on good footwork. We need to work on a quick transition.
The coach was not amused by the speed and some of the tactical approaches.
“Netball is all about speed. It’s all about quick transition and putting pressure on your opponents. So we need to work on our ball transition.
“We need to work on quick hands and good footwork. That’s what we need to improve.
“Obviously, we will be coming back again for the Telkom games in June.
“So definitely we are not going to relax . . . We want people who give all their best inside there.
“So I think we have now seen what is really our strength and what is really our shortfalls.
“So we are going to go back on the drawing board and work on those shortfalls,” said Banda.
Speaking on yesterday’s game, Banda was full of praise for the team.
“I am very impressed. I am happy.
I’m proud of the girls. They really did it today. “It’s because of hard work,” Banda said.
The Zimbabwe select side got the opening quarter underway with some polished performance that saw them opening a 16-goal lead.
The quarter ended with the score 21-5, with rising goal shooter Thandazile Ndhlovu impressive in the shooting circle, partnered by Anifa Luya on goal attack.
The defensive trio of Nikki Mandeya, Upenyu Muyambo and Beaulah Daure made crucial turnovers, helping the team take a wide lead.
Vice-captain Nicole Muzanenamo, playing wing attack in the opening quarter, had a good day on court.
She later moved to goal attack as the match progressed.
Her performance throughout the match saw her being named Player of the Match.
“I am super proud of the ladies. I couldn’t have done it without them. They are the ones who made me shine, and I dedicate this award to them,” said Mandeya.
The guest side extended the lead in the second quarter to go into half time leading 34-15.
However, the fourth quarter saw Crinums pushing for a comeback, closing in on the gap.
But the damage had already been done.
“I am super proud of the ladies.
“Like what I said before, I said we are going to do our best.
“We are going to play our hearts out, and yesterday we watched them play, we saw their weakness, and we man-aged to use their weakness against them.
“I am super proud of the girls.
“We did very well, so we are going back home to correct our mistakes and come back stronger,” Muzanenamo said.
Power Week Two is scheduled for June 13 to 17.
