Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces Netball Queens left a lasting impression in Windhoek, Namibia, where they clinched silver at the just ended Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations (COSANA) Club Championships.
Under the watchful eye of seasoned coach Philemon Mangwiro, the Army side travelled alongside Premier Netball League (PNL) newcomers, Makate High Flyers, for what turned out to be an unforgettable regional showcase.
While the Murehwa-based Makate outfit bowed out early after a string of losses in their opening four matches, their journey was not without merit. Their presence alone marked a significant milestone, a baptism of fire in elite netball competition.
ZDF, on the other hand, navigated a formidable path to the finals, going unbeaten until their narrow 44-47 loss to Eswatini’s Royal Flames in a high stakes clash that could have gone either way. Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) claimed bronze after dispatching Botswana Defence Forces 41-27 in the third place playoff.
Mangwiro hailed the COSANA championships as a “masterstroke” for regional netball, praising its potential to elevate club level competition in Southern Africa.
“This was a perfect platform for us to test ourselves competitively against new opponents,” said Mangwiro.
“Locally, we tend to face the same teams repeatedly, and that can dilute the intensity. Not taking anything away from them, but facing unfamiliar sides injects a different tempo and unpredictability into the game. COSANA gave us exactly that, probably the best club competition we’ve had to date.”
The teams touched down back home on Wednesday, richer in experience and carrying the kind of exposure that can’t be replicated in domestic fixtures. Mangwiro lauded his squad’s resilience and grit, noting that winning silver in such a cutthroat contest spoke volumes about Zimbabwean netball’s growing stature.
“We were the underdogs,” he declared. “Nobody expected us to go that far. There was a general air of dismissal around Zimbabwean teams, until we started upsetting the script.”
He added, “They came at us with a casual attitude, tried to frustrate us by switching our fixtures at the last minute, and underestimated our mental toughness. What they didn’t know is, we don’t crack easily. We’re built for pressure.”
Despite the heartbreak of narrowly missing gold, Mangwiro believes the experience will pay dividends in the upcoming domestic season.
“This served as preparation for our league campaign. We’ve identified gaps, recognised our strengths, and now know exactly how to maximise them when we get back to local action,” he said.
The final, however, came at a cost. Four ZDF players picked up injuries in the intense encounter, with Mitchelle Muzanenhamo sustaining a torn tendon, an injury that now requires surgery.
Meanwhile, Makate High Flyers’ early exit is being viewed through a pragmatic lens. A fledgling side still finding its rhythm, Makate entered the top flight this season under unconventional circumstances, with no prior record in Division One competition.
Still assembling its DNA, the team’s inclusion in COSANA was more about gaining exposure than chasing medals. But their ambition is undeniable. Interestingly, the club’s owner, Tendai Makate, has since been “co-opted” into the Premier Netball League executive as vice-chairperson, serving under league president Rita Mukandla. Her meteoric rise, both on and off the court, is one to watch. At the time of publishing, Makate had yet to respond to questions from Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Current COSANA president Letitia Chipandu, who attended the tournament, expressed satisfaction with both the competition and officiating standards.
“We are thrilled with the quality of play we’ve witnessed,” she said.
“COSANA has grown tremendously, especially in terms of netball development. We also had umpires from various countries using the platform to sharpen their skills ahead of the Region 5 Games, which will be held here in Namibia in July.”
