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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
ZDF Queens coach Joel Sibanda is upbeat they will continue with their winning ways when they take to the court today in the Premier Netball League games.
The PNL enter their second round of games today with matches taking place in Harare, Chisumbanje and Mhondoro-Ngezi
The matches are being played in clusters with 20 teams divided into five for each cluster.
ZDF Queens take on GreenFuel, Redwing, Beitbridge Border Queens and Waterfalls in Chisumbanje.
ZDF Queens and GreenFuel are the top teams in this cluster and their match is likely to be the highlight of the day.
Both teams had a good start, winning all their matches in the first week.
Sibanda wants his charges to maintain the winning form and collect maximum points.
“We are very much prepared. We are taking each game and every game seriously, whether it’s GreenFuel, Beitbridge Border, Waterfalls or Redwing.
“We are rating them all under the same rank. There is no special team, there is no big team and there is no small team.
“We are very well prepared for tomorrow (today),” said Sibanda.
They will be missing shooters Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura, mid-court player Patricia Mauladi and Leslie Chikozho who are all with the senior national team in camp, preparing for the 2023 Netball World Cup scheduled for July 28 to August 6 in South Africa.
However, Sibanda is confident the available players will deliver.
“We are missing four players Sharon, Patricia, Tafadzwa and Leslie Chikozho. But that is not a problem. As a team we register 24 players that can play in the league. So if we have four players in the national team, we are left with 20 players.
“So those who are here can deliver. As a team each and every player is important and I trust all my players.
“This is the second round of matches, we did well in the first round, so we are expecting the same again tomorrow.
“But the way I see it with my players in training, everyone is in good mood… we came here for a win,” said Sibanda.
GreenFuel coach Sibonginkosi Dube has indicated that winning their opening games was key in boosting her youthful side’s confidence.
“Quite important especially if you are coaching youth. Basically that team you can call it a youth team because three quarters of the players, their ages range from 17 to 22.
“So our starting on a high note boosted their confidence and it will be easy going onwards to make them believe they can, they can win any game, they can take anyone head-on and believe they can win.”
GreenFuel are also missing some of their leading players – the Muzanenhamo sisters Mitchell and Nicole, goal shooter Thandazile Ndlovu and defender Nikkie Mandeya – who are also with the Gems.
The other games will take place in Mhondoro-Ngezi and all eyes will be on the Platinum battle between Ngezi Platinum Queens and Zvishavane-based Platinum Queens in one of the matches lined up for the day.
Harare are hosting two clusters at the Stodart Netball Complex in Mbare.
PNL secretary-general Liberty Mhizha yesterday said they have roped in Mvurwi Queens to replace UZ, who did not confirm their participation for the season.
Fixtures
Today
Mhondoro-Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum Queens vs Platinum Queens, Ngezi Platinum Queens vs Mutare City, Ngezi Platinum Queens vs Harare District, Ngezi Platinum Queens vs City Angels, Platinum Queens vs Mutare City, Platinum Queens vs Harare District, Platinum Queens vs City Angels, Mutare City vs City Angels, Harare District vs City Angels.
Harare
Harare City vs Stormers, Harare City vs Filchrist Boarding, Harare City vs Mvurwi Queens, Harare City vs Lupane, Stormers vs Filchrist Boarding, Stormers vs Mvurwi Queens, Stormers vs Lupane, Filchrist Boarding vs Mvurwi Queens, Filchrist Boarding vs Lupane, Mvurwi Queens vs Lupane.
Chisumbanje
ZDF Queens vs GreenFuel, ZDF Queens vs Redwing, ZDF Queens vs Beitbridge Border Queens, ZDF Queens vs Waterfalls, GreenFuel vs Beitbridge Boarder Queens, GreenFuel vs Redwing, GreenFuel vs Waterfalls, Redwing vs Beitbridge Border Queens, Redwing vs Waterfalls, Beitbridge Border vs Waterfalls.
Harare
Rhinos vs Filchrist ZJC, Rhinos vs Zupco, Rhinos vs Expandable, Rhinos vs Marondera, Filchrist ZJC vs Zupco, Filchrist Zimbabwe vs Expandable, Filchrist ZJC vs Marondera, Zupco vs Expandable, Zupco vs Marondera, Expandable vs Marondera.
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