The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
ZRP Mambas ruthless Goal Defender Cynthia Gamuchirai ‘VZ’ celebrated her 29th birthday in style, as her steady defence helped edge her police side closer to the Netball Super League title.
Adding cherry to the top was the fact that title could come at the expanse of their biggest rivals Harare City Netball Queens who they edged 45-38 in a top of the table clash at Morris Depot yesterday.
After finishing fourth last season, Mambas have underlined their championship credentials with only six matches to play.
The two sides could not be separated in their first encounter which ended with a 46-all stalemate at Stodart Hall court on June 29.
ZRP Mambas have been a cut above the rest of the league, and are yet to taste defeat having registered 18 wins and a draw.
The first quarter ended with City Queens leading 13- 10 but Mambas resurrected in the second quarter, with VZ, nicknamed for her defensive antics putting trusted Municipality side GA, Mercy Mukwadi off key.
City Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki had to rope in Sharon Bwanali to utilise chances while national team star Ursula Ndlovu was switched to Wing Attack to give maximum feed to the ring.
This did not deter the Police side as they kept delivering maximum feed to the ever reliable Pauline Jani.
Jani missed only two out of the 39 chances that came her way, inspiring her side to victory in the high stakes game.
Mambas stand at 37 points from 18 matches, two above second placed Harare City.
Mambas coach Talent Museka hailed his troops for playing according to game plan.
“We prepared for this game for a very long time and I am happy we stuck to the plan.
“Cynthia was outstanding today which is exactly what I taught her in training,” said Museka.
City Queens Ursula Ndlovu, Sharon Bwanali, Mercy Mukwadi, Alice Tewera and Rudo Karume were part of the Gems side which recently qualified for the 2019 World Cup finals in Liverpool, England.’
But all their wealth of talent and skill could not stop their defiant Police rivals.
“We proved that being on the national team does not mean you are the best, we have players who can also fit there so we made sure we give them a tough time.
“I only substituted in the last 57 minutes because I knew how tense the game was and understood my squad‘s strength,” said Museka.
City Queens Coach Mutsauki was a visibly disappointed man.
“We failed to stick to the game plan; shooters missed a lot of chances, and our midfielders could not intercept balls which mounted a lot of pressure on the defense,” said Mutsauki.
Ends.
