AFTER a false start to their campaign at the ongoing Africa
Netball Cup, Zimbabwe had a good day on the court yesterday, winning their two
matches for the day against Kenya and Lesotho at Bellville Velodrome in Cape
Town, South Africa, yesterday.
Zimbabwe first beat Kenya 68-35 in the morning to claim
their first win of the tournament. They then went on to dismiss Lesotho 79-22
in their second game of the day.
The Gems’ participation at the continental showpiece has
been marred with some uncertainty and poor planning by the Zimbabwe Netball
Association that led to the team failing to arrive in Cape Town in time for
their opening encounter against Uganda on Friday and they were walked over.
They then lost to South Africa 69-39 on Saturday before
they picked themselves up yesterday to grab two victories.
Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki said the win against Kenya was a
relief and gave confidence to the players that were demoralised after failing
to fulfil their first encounter against Uganda on Friday.
And going into their game against hosts South Africa,
regarded as one of the powerhouses on the continent, it was always going to be
difficult for a team that only met for a few days just before their departure
for the tournament.
The confusion and uncertainty surrounding Zimbabwe’s
participation did not help the situation for a team competing at this level.
“Overall the team played well yes but that’s where I got
the opportunity to try my combinations to have more combinations so that we
have several options.
“This win is very important for the team that started
because there are several changes in the team which has helped us to get two or
three combinations and helped us to get results. Since we didn’t have enough
time to train together we will keep trying and I hope we can get something
positive.
“This win is very important . . . It has boosted their
confidence. After losing the first game it demoralised the players but right
now from the look of things the girls are doing well,” said Mutsauki.
In their first game against Kenya, it was goal-to-goal in
the early stages of the first quarter before Zimbabwe took charge in the dying
minutes to take a 16-10 lead.
The Gems upped their game in the second quarter with
captain Felistus Kwangwa and goal keeper Queen Sigauke giving a good account of
themselves in defence as Zimbabwe restricted Kenya to just four goals in this
quarter while they netted 23 goals.
Zimbabwe went into the half-time break leading by 25 goals.
Goal shooter Joice Takaidza ensured Zimbabwe maintained their lead and enjoyed
a good combination with goal attack Sharon Bwanali and later on Ursula Ndlovu.
In their second game against Lesotho, Zimbabwe dominated
from the onset, going into the half-time break leading 42-9. Despite making
several unforced errors in the last two quarters, the Gems were the better team
of the day and sealed their second win of the tournament after four games.
They will take on Zambia this afternoon. Mutsauki said it’s
a different game against Zambia today but is optimistic.
“We will fight until the last whistle. Zambia play fast
game so we will try to hold them at the middle because their shooters are very
fast and have movement, fast movement,” Mutsauki told SuperSport after the game
against Lesotho. Herald
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