Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Netball Association will be looking to intensify their preparations for this year’s edition of the Africa Netball Cup, which will be key to the Gems World Cup aspirations.
World Netball, this week released dates for the 2026 African Championships, a tournament that also serves as Netball World Cup 2027 qualifiers.
The announcement set the tone for ZINA to upscale the Gems preparations as Zimbabwe look to be a part of the World Cup jamboree when it rolls ito Australia next year.
The NWC2027 has been pencilled for between August 25 and September 5.
But the continental contest which will determine Africa’s representatives is scheduled for Kenya from September 19 to 26. With 10 of the 16 places at the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 still up for grabs, the Gems know they have a strong chance ot among te cast that will be in Australia.
Africa will have two slots available from the continental championships.
ZINA technical director John Banda is excited about Zimbabwe’s prospects and believes the Gems should now not waste time in readying for the African Championships.
“The release of these dates now leaves a huge task on all nations, we have to get to our toes promptly and start preparing for the games because September is just around the corner,” said Banda.
The top six teams on World Netball ranking, automatically qualify to compete at the World Cup.
Hosts, Australia, have already qualified for the global showcase alongside New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Uganda.
To determine the remaining 10 nations to participate at the 16 teams World Cup tourney, five regional qualifiers will take place with top two nations from each qualifier to earn a slot.
With South Africa and Uganda already in the World Cup, Zimbabwe will have to battle it out for a slot against Africa Cup hosts Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho.
“Our aim is to qualify for the NWC 2027, an appearance that makes it a treble for the senior netball team, the Gems,” said Banda.
“We have been working towards that since last year, in fact this was one of the major reasons behind the birth of Zambezi Eagles project and I am sure we are well on course.”
With the domestic leagues set to start this week, this will create a competitive platform for national team players to bounce back into shape.
The activity will also allow national team coaches to assess their players on a competitive platform before national duty commences.
Gems and Zambezi Eagles star defenders Kelly Muyambo, Yemurai Seveni and mid-court player Anifa Luya, Beaular Dhaure, Lubelihle Khumalo, Beyonce Ndaradzi and Primrose Kamwendo moved to Chapungu during the offseason transfer window.
Muyambo joins from Makate Hyfliers, while Luya and Dhaure were formerly with Flow Angels.
Ndaradzi and Khumalo are moving from GreenFuel where they were some of the outstanding players in their maiden season in RANL last year.
And the group will need to quickly adjust and fit into their new camps to be able to retain their spots in the national teams.
“We have quite a number of activities lined up as part of the preparations for the WNC 2027, however, the first step is for the Gems technical team to come up with a team,” added Banda.
“While we do have regular names who often come for national duty but there are no permanent players on a national team, scouting and assessment on form and fitness are a must.
“Players should tick certain boxes to make cut, coaches have a criteria of what is needed for a player to be on the national team so once the leagues get underway, coaches are able to keep tabs on the players.
“Our aim is to have the best possible team for the qualifiers, and for Zimbabwe to make it to the coming global showcase.”
Meanwhile, Asia regional qualifiers will be hosted by Hong Kong, between August 7 and 16.
September is expected the busiest month, with three qualifiers taking place including Oceania’s edition in Tonga from September 14 to19 and Europe’s showcase pencilled for Scotland between 25 and 27th of the same month.
The final two teams to be invited to the World Cup will be from the American region with action scheduled for October 19 to 26 in Barbados.
