Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Netball Association are considering to rope in former Uganda national team coach Fred Mugerwa into the Gems technical set-up ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, Zimpapers Sport can reveal.
This becomes the first time that Zina rope in foreign expertise in their preparations, highlighting the importance of the task at hand.
Mugerwa’s Curriculum Vitae has never been in doubt after successfully reviving the Ugandan She Cranes, leading them to a historic fifth place finish at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
Zina are now angling the renowned coach to be part of their technical bench during their preparations for 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, albeit on a consultative basis.
Under the mentorship of Ropafadzo Mutsauki, the Gems regrouped last week for their final camp ahead of the tournament scheduled to run between September 19 and 26 in Kenya.
The 2027 Netball World Cup Qualifiers will determine Africa’s representatives at the global showcase to be held in Sydney, Australia next year, with two slots available for grabs.
The top six teams from the World Netball rankings, hosts Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Uganda automatically qualify to compete at the World Cup.
However, Zimbabwe will have to battle it out for one of the two available slots against Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, Eswatini, Botswana and Zambia to make it for a third successive World Cup appearance.
Zina feel that Mugerwa could add value to their preparations with primary consultations suggesting that the coach is available for the task.
“It is an idea which came up while the association was drafting a blue print on how they can best package their preparations for the big contest,” said a source.
“The technical team feel Mugerwa will add value to their team because he has vast international experience. He is not a stranger to them because they met in competitions several times and they know what he can do.”
The move can be critical for the Gems following assistant coach Tapiwa Chirenda’s departure.
Chirenda has joined Kenya national team, leaving a void in the bench which is now led by Mutsauki and Tatenda Shinya who just bounced back into the Gems setup.
With a few weeks left towards the qualifiers and resources permitting, Zina were also entertaining plans for Gems to travel to either South Africa or Uganda for a training camp.
During the camp, they would play women and men’s national teams and selected strong local clubs.
Since Gems often operate on tight budgets, it can be agreed that bringing in a foreign coach could be cost effective compared to having the team travelling to camp in a foreign land.
Meanwhile, the Gems might have to wait longer to welcome back Goal Shooter Thandazile Ndhlovu and mid-court budding star Faith Mutero.
The duo who turnout for Correctional Queens are away on Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services training where they are to be employed as Prison Officers.
Defenders Tanaka Makusha and Nikkie Mundeya will also join camp at a later stage as they are still nursing injuries they picked at the recent “Find the Ball Tournament” in Botswana.
However, Captain Felisitus Kwangwa is set to bounce back and enhance the defensive end with her experience while Elizabeth Mushore also marks a return from maternity leave.
At least 25 players have regrouped with the camp to run for five weeks culminating in departure for Kenya around September 14.
The squad will be trimmed down to players who will feature in the qualifiers.
