ZDF Queen suffer third defeat

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZDF Queens coach, Joel Sibanda, believes they can still finish among the top three despite suffering their third defeat yesterday. They went down 45-47 to Glow Petroleum in a tightly-contested Rainbow Amateur Netball League match at Harare Metropolitan Police.

ZDF had hoped to maintain the momentum that saw them becoming the first team to beat log leaders Correctional Queens in two years last Saturday.

Glow, who had a shaky start, took a five-goal lead in the second quarter which ended 25-20.
The first quarter had ended 12-12.

Glow were the better side in the second quarter, taking control of the game, with their goal-shooter Unkemetse Mabuku partnering goal-attack Caren Zulu to cause some damage.

ZDF will be hoping they don’t drop any more points in their three remaining matches against Ngezi, Mambas Queens and PPU to ensure they remain in the top three.

“We are there in the top three but, for the title, the chances are now slim after this defeat,’’ said coach Sibanda.

“We are playing Ngezi on Saturday . . . even the games have become too many in a short space of time, there is no time to rest.

“Unfortunately, we are only left with the big teams, so it’s different from other clubs and it’s a challenge for us.” All teams are expected to have fulfilled all their remaining matches by November 30.

Sibanda blamed their defeat yesterday on the officiating while also saying his shooter, Sharon Bwanali, who has been enjoying good form, failed to live up to expectations.

“If the umpire makes some questionable calls, even the players are affected, they lose hope and do not play their usual game.

“The shooters were not at their best, Sharon was a bit off today. But, still, it goes to umpiring, if the umpire continues to make wrong calls it demoralises the players,” Sibanda said.

Glow coach, Perpetua Siyachitema, was pleased with the outcome considering ZDF were the favourites going into yesterday’s match. “My girls they played according to instructions. But I knew what was coming, ZDF was excited because they won against Correctional and I knew they were underrating us,’’ she said.

“I can say the girls, (in) the first quarter, they panicked. They were a little bit scared but when they managed to intercept two, three balls, they realised we could do this.