Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports
National Under-20 men’s handball team coach Tafadzwa Madure feels there is need to improve on the technical aspects of the game from the grassroots level if local players are to match their counterparts on the continent.
Zimbabwe were among the 16 countries that graced the just ended African Men’s Junior Nations Championship in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
But they found the going tough concluding their participation at the continental showpiece winless after losing 24-37 to Benin in their last placement match last Friday.
They placed 16th overall.
Egypt were crowned champions following a 31-29 victory over Tunisia in the final.
“Zimbabwe handball is not bad at all.
“We have potential of even clinching these big tournaments. It’s just that there are things that we need to work on for us to improve more,” said Madure.
“Yes, we need to work on foot work to improve our speed during play.
“And one of the things we should deal with is adjusting on playing and training in indoor courts because of the rubber floor compared to outdoor surface courts which are a bit rough, it contributes to the movement of our athletes,” added Madure.
Zimbabwe played five matches – three in the group stages and two placement ties.
They lost all the games in the group stages, going down to Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Rwanda in Group A.
They then played Madagascar in the placement matches 13 to 16 and lost.
They went on to face Benin in their last game at the championship, playing for position 15 and 16.
And it was the same script as they suffered another defeat at the hands of Benin.
“We should start developing high level skills and individual brilliance of players from younger ages, and grassroot level, emphasis should be on height.
“A lot of these teams have tall players meaning we should push that from selection at the grassroot age, and others we work on quick movement.
“Handball is becoming more and more fast paced, meaning we should be fast hence work on our foot work.
“So, we encouraged our boys to do personal trainings on that,” said Madure.
The Zimbabwean coach believes with proper preparation, local teams can do better.
The Under-20 side’s build-up to the continental event was limited due to lack of resources with the team that had last had competitive games early May only regrouping with less than two weeks to go before they travelled to Cote d’Ivoire.
“Preparation is key and vital especially when you are about to attend this kind of a big tournament.”
Zimbabwe Handball Federation president Taurai Muberekwa, also attended the event in Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite losing all their games, Muberekwa said; “Our boys fought and fought; they gave it their all. That is what I can say.”
“So, basically, we learned a lot of lessons as a nation.
“As a nation, we learned from technical matters, tactically we also learned a lot, even on our game management,” said Muberekwa.
Zimbabwe had won the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone VI to qualify for the African Championship.
But from the outcome in Abidjan, more still needs to be done if future junior teams are to match their counterparts at that level.
The team is expected back home today.
Meanwhile the senior women’s team was scheduled to leave for Zambia early today for the IHF Nations Trophy Africa – Zone VI that gets underway tomorrow in Lusaka, Zambia.
The regional event runs until Saturday.
