Zimbabweans salute Gems

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWEANS have heaped praise on the Gems following their qualification to the Netball World Cup that will be hosted by South Africa’s Cape Town next year. 

Zimbabwe triumphed in front of a cheering crowd in Pretoria, with the Gems beating Zambia 59-43 in the third and fourth play-off match on Saturday. 

The team will be making their second consecutive World Cup trip after they featured in the 2019 edition in England. 

President Mnangagwa joined the nation in hailing the Gems for making the country proud.

“Congratulations to the Zimbabwe Gems for qualifying for the Netball World Cup —you should be immensely proud,” tweeted the President.

TelOne’s Managing Director Chipo Mtasa also congratulated the ladies for a job well done.

“Hearty congratulations our Zim Gems, you have defied the odds, well done Felisitus Kwangwa,” she said in a Twitter post.

Former Highlanders CEO, Nhlanhla Dube also congratulated the Gems and Felisitus Kwangwa. 

“Amhlophe captain, my captain, the Gems are proving their lasting lustre again. Well done mantombazana, we celebrate you like the first rains.”

Another Twitter user said qualifying for the global showpiece was the best news she has heard this year.

Zimbabwe cricketer Luke Jongwe, who recently helped the Chevrons qualify for the T20 World Cup, refused to be left out of the praise singing. 

“What a team, congrats to the Zim Netball team for qualifying for the World Cup, madadisa asikana,” Jongwe said.

Journalist Adam Theofilatos also congratulated the heroic ladies for their second consecutive World Cup Qualification.

“A huge congratulations to the Zimbabwe Gems who toppled Zambia this morning (Saturday) 

Another Twitter user posted: “I do not watch netball but hearing that the Zim team has qualified for the World Cup is just exciting.”

The 2023 Netball World Cup will take place from July 28 to August 6.