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Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Lilian Sibanda Sports Reporters
THE Zimbabwe netball team were too smart for the rains but not for their opponents South Africa who managed to beat them 40-32 in their tension-filled AUSC Region 5 encounter at White City Courts yesterday. The loss was Zimbabwe’s first in the tournament. The match brought the stadium to a standstill as even fans who were watching athletics could not afford to miss the netball action as they turned their backs on the track and watched the girls fight it out.
As the heavens opened up, the Zimbabwean bench left their technical area and sought refuge in the tent that was packed to the full by noisy supporters who were cheering Zimbabwe on. The South Africans however remained in the technical area where their coaches could easily bark instructions and be heard by their players while the Zimbabwean technical bench could hardly be heard. In the end some crucial technical and tactical instructions may not have reached the young girls, some of whom were probably overwhelmed by the electric atmosphere from their own fans.
The start of the match was delayed for over an hour due to the rains.
The first quarter saw Zimbabwe take long to gain their composure as they gave the South Africans unnecessary respect.
Whatever was said to the Zimbabwean players in the dressing rooms during the half time period proved magical as the players picked momentum and managed to improve in tactics and goals started coming in. In the first half Zimbabwe proved wasteful as they failed to utilise scoring chances, too many string passes and poor coordination.
Wing attacker Nomagugu Makhalima and goal shooter Sharon Bwanali were outstanding with their skillful dodging and impressive tactics.
Zimbabwe’s assistant coach Simbarashe Mlambo was not happy with the officiating of the match as he felt most of the decisions went against them.
“We failed to start on a good footing but we picked up momentum during the second half though the umpires were very unfair on us. The game was too physical for my liking and if my players did the same thing they were penalised while our opponents were given a free pass. I’m happy though that we managed to recover though I feel we could’ve done a lot better.
His opposite number Jenny Van Dyk said:
“You know as a coach you’re never satisfied with the results so I feel we could’ve done better though it was a tricky game. Zimbabwe proved to be a tricky side and they gave us a good game. I love a competitive match.”
Mlambo said they still had faith in the team and they are sticking with it ahead of the Namibia game that will be played this afternoon.
Fixtures
Today: Swaziland vs Botswana, Zimbabwe vs Namibia, South Africa vs Namibia
Online Reporter