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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S senior national netball team returns to competition today when they take on Malawi in their opening game at the Pent Series in Windhoek, Namibia.
It’s the Gems’ first game in two years.
Their last competitive matches were in October 2019 at the African Championships in South Africa. After such a long break, the players are excited to be back together for the Pent Series that is running until Friday.
The event is also important for world rankings and Zimbabwe will be out to get some good results to improve their ranking. Other countries that are taking part in the Pent Series are Uganda, Zambia, Kenya and hosts Namibia.
The matches will be played in a round-robin format and Zimbabwe’s first game is against Malawi, who are regarded as one of the netball powerhouses in Africa.
Malawi are ranked sixth in the world while Zimbabwe are on 12th position.
Gems’ coach, Lloyd Makunde, has made it clear, despite the long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that he would want a podium finish for his side in both the Pent Series and the Africa Championships also to take place in Namibia. The championships will take place three days after the Pent Series.
“This is the first time we are playing two tournaments within days of each other, so we are going to approach it cautiously, try to make sure that there are no injuries and ensure enough time for players to recover.
“Truthfully speaking, we need a medal, be it silver, gold or bronze,” said Makunde.
The first match of the tournament is between hosts Namibia and Kenya, soon after the official opening of the competition today.
It will be followed by an encounter between Uganda and Zambia before Malawi and Zimbabwe face-off in the last match of the day.
The Gems will be led by captain Felisitus Kwangwa. Claris Kwaramba is the new vice-captain for the senior national side.
Makunde has also roped in new blood to the team as part of the rebuilding exercise of the team that is also hoping of another dance at the next World Cup in South Africa in 2023.
The qualifiers for the global competition are expected to take place next year.
The next edition of the World Cup is in 2023 and will be hosted by South Africa. The Gems left the country on Saturday by road. Zimbabwe won gold at the Pent Series tournament in 2017 and the following year they got silver.
Team
Felisitus Kwangwa, Priscilla Ndlovu, Queen Sigauke, Sinethemba Ncube, Tatenda Dziva, Patricia Mauladi, Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo, Sarudzai Beatrice Busu, Nobhukosi Ndlovu, Sharon Bwanali, Lynnette Tanhira, Tafadzwa Matura, Ursula Ndlovu, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Nokuthula Mbano.
Online Reporter