Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Netball Association (Zina) has intensified preparations for a crucial series of international friendlies against Malawi and Botswana later this month. The three-day event, scheduled for October 23–25 in Harare, will feature the senior women’s team — the Gems — their development side, the Zambezi Eagles, and the men’s team, the Golden Flyers.
The squads are set to regroup on October 5, with long-time sponsor Nedbank funding the matches.
Head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki says his players are ready for camp following recent club-level assessments.
“The team is prepared to take to the court, perform well and make the nation proud — including the new players, whom we are also giving the opportunity to join camp,” he said.
At least 30 women and 20 men will be called into camp before the squads are trimmed. The technical team, led by Mutsauki and assistant coach Pepetua Siyachitema, will finalise squads of 15 players each for upcoming major tournaments.
The friendly series forms part of a broader build-up to November’s Celtic Cup in Scotland and December’s African Championships in Malawi. Last year, the Gems secured bronze at the inaugural Celtic Cup, competing against Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This year’s edition has expanded to six teams, and Zimbabwe are aiming for another podium finish.
“As we regroup, our goal is to assemble a team capable of competing at the upcoming tournaments,” Mutsauki said. “Our responsibility is to ensure the players are technically and physically prepared, and we’re already hard at work.”
The continental competition remains highly competitive. Malawi are ranked third in Africa behind South Africa and Uganda, while Zimbabwe sit fourth on the continent and 13th globally.
However, the Gems made headlines at last year’s African Championships in Namibia, defeating Malawi 48–42 in the bronze medal playoff and beating Uganda in the group stages for the first time in a decade.
Those results, Mutsauki says, have elevated Zimbabwe’s reputation.
“We now have a reputation to uphold, so whenever we participate in international matches, we must be well prepared and in peak form,” he said.
Zimbabwe will renew their rivalry with Uganda at the Celtic Cup before facing them again at the Africa Cup.
“More victories over Malawi and Uganda would be massive for us, and such results could positively impact our world rankings,” Mutsauki noted. “To achieve this, friendly matches like these are vital — they help us acclimatise to high-level competition as we rebuild.”
With qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in mind, Mutsauki views these friendlies as a critical step.
“We’re often seen as underdogs, largely due to our historical lack of financial support,” he admitted. “But coming into these friendlies with that label doesn’t mean we shouldn’t aim for victory. We’re approaching every match with the seriousness it deserves, and we always play to win.
“The pressure is greatest when we’re hosting, because we want to make our fans proud. Players must be in top form. Fans and local coaches turn out in large numbers, as it’s not every day they get to watch their players in international action — so we must rise to the occasion.”
