The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Zimbabwe’s Lady Chevrons face their defining moment when they tackle Namibia in the final of the ICC Women’s World T20 Afica Qualifier at Harare Sports Club today.
And It’s down to the two in-form teams, with Adam Chifo and his Lady Chevrons team coming up against compatriot Leonard Nhamburo who will be in Namibian colours as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup African Region Qualifier concludes at Harare Sports Club today.After crushing Nigeria by 10 wickets, chasing a paltry 36 runs, yesterday Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda said they are ready to deal with the final hurdle.
“We will go through our processes, we know we are good, our batters are in form and the bowlers look good too,” she said.
“We will block everything out and play smart, sensible cricket.“The girls really want to qualify and we are confident about our mental capacity and fitness as well… I think we are all in a good position and it will come down to who wants the game more,” said Musonda.
“We want to win the final as our mothers’ gift and we urge all mothers and girls to come watch the final,” said Musonda. Chifo expressed confidence in his team.“We are not looking to change any plans going into the final.
“We have prepared very well and have given them the freedom to express themselves,” said Chifo.For Nhamburo, who had coached the Zimbabwe ladies team for seven years before joining Namibia in February this year, he is a man who ‘has to do his job’.
“Obviously when you are coaching any team, you are expected to win,” he said.
“There are no emotions attached. As a coach, one day you are coaching this team and the next day you are with another. “I am not worried about facing Zimbabwe, it’s just a game anyway and I will just be doing my work,” said Nhamburo. Zimbabwe won four out of four group matches, starting off the tournament with a massive 163-run victory over Mozambique, which was followed by a huge 92-run win over Tanzania.The hosts then made light work of Rwanda, whom they dispatched by 82 runs and yesterday, Zimbabwe maintained their unbeaten run by clobbering Nigeria.They will meet an equally confident Namibian side, also enjoying an unbeaten run in the tournament. Namibia topped group B following their 39-run win over Kenya, 14-run win over Uganda and a 10-wicket shellacking of Sierra Leone.In form Zimbwabwe’s opener Sharne Mayers is the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 180 runs at 60.00 while her compatriot and fellow opener Modester Mupachikwa is third with 121 runs at 40.33.For Namibia, 16-year-old Adri Van der Merwe is their best performing batter with 81 runs from three innings. Irene Van Zyl (34) is Namibia’s top performing bowler ranking third in the tournament with seven wickets from three matches while Zimbabwe’s Anesu Mushangwe is the second best bowler with seven wickets from four matches.
