Online ReporterEllina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports
National Under-20 men’s handball team coach Tafadzwa Madure feels there is a 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, Côte 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 the potential to even clinch 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 footwork to improve our speed during play.
“And one of the things we should deal with is adjusting to playing and training on indoor courts because of the rubber floor compared to outdoor 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 positions 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 grassroots level; emphasis should be on height.
“A lot of these teams have tall players, meaning we should push that from selection at the grassroots age, and for others we work on quick movement.
“Handball is becoming more and more fast-paced, meaning we should be fast; hence, work on our footwork.
“So, we encouraged our boys to do personal training on that,” said Madure.
The Zimbabwean coach believes that with proper preparation, local teams can do better.
The Under-20 side’s build-up to the continental event was limited due to a 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 Côte 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 in 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 this morning for the IHF Nations Trophy Africa – Zone VI, which gets underway tomorrow in Lusaka, Zambia.
The regional event runs until Saturday.
