The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
Mercy Mukwadi could have been the jewel for the impressive Harare City Queens but ill-discipline could not spare her from being cut out of the squad pending disciplinary hearing.
The City Queens Goal Attacker who also features for the national team that recently qualified for the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool was suspended on disciplinary issues that include missing training sessions.
Watching her team battle it out in a top of the table clash against Mutare City Queens at Beithall in Mutare yesterday, Harare City Queens coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki felt it was better that his side loses instead of having an ill disciplined player on his squad.
It was a highly physical game which the Queens from the East yielded more contact penalties than scores in the first half.
Inside the eighth minute, Mutare Queens Goal Defender Cynthia Royi had already got a caution.
With verbal attacks pouring out from from the supporters, the Mutsauki-led troops engaged their national team charges who due to experience outclassed the Mutare side to a 54-17 fulltime score.
Coach Mutsauki was satisfied acquiring two points in the physically charged game.
“I’m glad we gathered maximum points which is obviously what every team strives for, especially now as the season comes to an end.
“The plan was to slow their play, because Mutare relies on a fast-paced game and I am happy despite all the pressure, we stuck to our gameplan,” he said.
Back to Mukwadi, Mutsauki said although she is still family, the team is still performing well without her.
“With Mukwadi missing from the team, nothing has changed. Players should understand that we would rather have below average players than have highest grade ill-disciplined ones,” said the coach.
Mutare side coach Simbarashe Nenhunzi acknowledged that his side has a goal scoring crisis.
“We do not have strong shooters, this was the biggest weakness that cost us today,” he said.
He, however, throw a shade at the match officials and urged the Zimbabwe Netball Association to continuously access and hold workshops to help them.
Harare City Queens remains second on the log standings with 41points from 22 games while Mutare is seventh placed with 26 points.
