Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S senior women’s team kick-start their preparations for the International Handball Federation Challenge Trophy Zone VI tournament tomorrow when they go into camp in Harare.
The 36-member provisional squad is scheduled to converge at Highfield High 1 School from tomorrow to Sunday.
Tawanda Mapira will be in charge of the team.
“We want to try and trim this to around 25, 30, thereabout.
“Our main focus currently is on their fitness. We want to check on a few skills. Our selection was actually focusing on such aspects.
“Then we would also want to try and see those who are really fit for the games. We had our dry spell, we were off-season.
“Now that we have just resumed . . . some leagues have started, so that means most players are now well-conditioned.
“But for a start, maybe we just need to focus on some basics, seeing how well they are. We would focus on combinations later when we have the other camps that are lined up,” said Mapira.
This is going to be their first meeting as a group.
The Senior Women IHF Challenge Trophy Zone VI is expected to take place in Zambia for the first time since the tournament previously catered for youth and junior teams.
The world body has expanded the event to include seniors, but it is designed in a way that supports developing nations.
The winning teams from the zonal competitions advance to the continental phase, the CAHB Africa Championships.
The actual dates for the regional tournament are yet to be confirmed, but to take place around September.
ZHF technical director Bekezela Ncube said the plan is to have the long camp towards the competition it-self, and the schedule will be determined by the confirmation of the tournament’s dates.
“After we trim the squad, those 25 are going to get to a long camp where we are going to come up with our final 14.
“Our long camp is going to be determined by the days that we are going to Zambia.
“On our side, we are saying keep on preparing until the actual dates are confirmed, because we are saying after the weekend’s camp, we might have another one before we actually get to the final camp.
“But what we are talking about are players that are always active. So, it’s a matter of time to make sure that they blend in position.
“Since these are players that are coming from different clubs, we need to start blending,” said Ncube.
Provisional Squad
Mudiwa Tangwena (UZ Wildcats), Mitchel Masawi (City Stars), Moreblessing Farando (Bindura Phoenix), Joyce Kaseke (Bindura Phoenix), Perseverance Mpofu (BUSE Hawks), Praise Muchucha (BUSE Hawks), Tanyaradzwa Kahari (Manyame Sparrows), Audrey Moyo (Matebele Queens), Edwick Mwale (Matebele Queens), Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo (City Stars), Ashyline Sibiya (Manyame Sparrows), Robyn Mhembere (Man-yame Sparrows), Amanda Maphosa (UCE), Wersline Zvomuya (UZ Wildcats), Revai Mutenha (City Stars), Nicole Chinwayange (UZ Wildcats), Tolay Zisengwe (Manyame Sparrows), Sibusisiwe Mzizi (Matebele Queens), Fortunate Mangoma (Manyame Sparrows), Victoria Makina (UZ Wildcats), Sifikile Ndlovu (Matebele Queens), Tecla Mandava (Harare City), Nontokozo Ncube (UCE), Amber Madyira (Panthers HC), Christabel Mazwarira (Matebele Queens), Sharon Mkohiwa (Manyame Sparrows), Sibanesihle Ndlovu (Filabusi Titans), Pamela Sibanda (Filabusi Titans), Sheldon Rosewita Nyamukondiwa (Mutare Poly), Ndaiziweyi Mandikiyana (Mutare Poly), Beauty Mashamba (Raiders), Tafadzwa Maramba (Raiders), Stella Ngwangwava (Manyame Sparrows), Maria Chiwoka (Manyame Sparrows), Tanaka Chekwa (Vikings), Fadzai Huruva (Harare City).
