adminBrighton Zhawi in GABORONE, Botswana
ZIMBABWE netball team need a victory over neighbours Zambia and at the same time hope to maintain a superior goal difference to qualify for the World Cup.
The two clash today in the African Championships at Botswana Courts.
The Gems clobbered Namibia 57-31 yesterday to sit on four points after having beaten Swaziland.
A victory over Zambia today, who beat Botswana 46 -37 yesterday, could see Zimbabwe qualify for the World Cup in Australia next.
However, if Zimbabwe, who have 192 goals from four games, win today they will be joint on six points with their opponents and Botswana.
Goal aggregate could decide which two teams join Uganda and the already qualified Malawi and South Africa to the World Cup.
Zambia have netted 216 goals while Botswana will look to increase their 159 scores when they play Swaziland in the last match of what has been an intriguing competition.
Zimbabwe coach Ledwin Dondo is optimistic her team will finish in the top three.
“If we can only manage to beat Zambia then there is a high chance of ending in the top three. We have to keep our cool because it will obviously be a pressure game.
“I am positive the girls will do us proud.
“It will not be easy but we will give it our best and I am happy with the defence, they have been doing well to intercept and mark opponents,” she said.
The Gems made light work of winless Namibia to keep alive chances of a maiden World Cup appearance easing to a 14-8 triumph in the opening quarter with shooter Pauline Jani a big challenge for the Namibian defence of KejaDelila and Sethie Augusta.
Namibia lost goalkeeper Augusta, who limped off with a knee injury, during an unfortunate spell that also saw her team mate shooter KambatukuTjatinda also suffer a knee injury.
Zimbabwe’s goal attack Paidamoyo Tinoza also needed attention on her knee after an ugly landing.
The Namibians managed five scores in the second quarter they went on to lose 30-13 to go into the main break with a lot to think about.
For Zimbabwe it was a matter of increasing the scoring and that they did.
They found the net 20 times to Namibia’s five goals in the third quarter they dominated from start to finish to lead 50-18 going into the deciding stanza.
Zimbabwe managed only seven goals in the last quarter that saw vice- captain Clara Gumbo given her first appearance in the tournament while Tenax player Pauline Mutandwa’s debut was short-lived as she limped off with an ankle injury.
Online Reporter