The victorious Zimbabwe netball team
Brighton Zhawi recently in GABORONE, Botswana
THE Zimbabwe netball team is in seventh heaven after winning the African Netball Championships in Botswana last week.
After disappointment at previous editions, the Gems triumphed at the fifth time of asking.
Zimbabwe’s Gems upstaged World Cup-bound Zambia, hosts Botswana, Swaziland and Tanzania to emerge African champions.
“I am on cloud nine right now,” said a joyous Ledwine Dondo, the Gems’ head coach after the team returned from Gaborone on Thursday.
“We are so happy; the girls have made the technical staff and nation at large proud.”
Zimbabwe showed great determination as they pushed on to the title despite the withdrawal of team manager Petronella Gonye and forward Netsai Muchemwa due to family bereavements.
Having played the opening match of the African Netball Championships at the four prior editions, Zimbabwe this time took to the court on the second day where they met a confident Swaziland side that had shocked Botswana in the opening game.
Zimbabwe won the encounter 49 – 35 before playing out a thrilling 47-47 draw against the hosts.
Pre-tournament favourites Zambia, who are joining Malawi, South Africa and Uganda at the World Cup, came after the Botswana clash.
And Chipolopolo were outshone 51-49 by the Gems, who at one point led by seven. To cap off a remarkable tournament, Zimbabwe dismissed winless Tanzania 37-28 to emerge Africa’s best.
Zimbabwe Netball Association president Letitia Chipandu, who retained her post as vice-president of Africa Netball at elections last week, hailed the team’s heroics.
“The feeling is just great, I am overwhelmed. I can’t believe myself, it’s like a dream and I don’t want to wake up,” Chipandu said.
Captain Perpetual Siyachitema believes the championships triumph helped exorcise the ghosts of missing out on a World Cup berth.
“Being at the same place where that heartbreaking World Cup miss befell us motivated the players. We wanted to prove our critics wrong and I believe we have managed to do that,” she said.
Preparations
After a three-week camp in Kwekwe, the team’s head coach Dondo had boldly declared Zimbabwe would win the African Championships. She was right.
Youth
Zimbabwe’s youthful defence of 19-year-old Yvonne Madzikangava, Felistus Kwangwa (20) and Tatenda Dziva (24) wowed many at the competitions.
It can be argued defence won Zimbabwe the title because the girls were simply fantastic with their interceptions and timing.
Other youngsters, Ndaizivei Madzikangava (23) and Beaulla Hlongwani (20) — both centres — were in superb form and so was the workaholic goal attacker Paidamoyo Tinoza (21).
With age on their side, Zimbabwe Netball’s future is bright.
Bonding
Statements like “Tashora dare”, “Ukagara gara” and “Unondi itira ini” were common in the team’s camp.
“Tashora dare” became popular after two players were made to run shouting out the statement as punishment for not following assistant coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki’s instructions.
Everyone, including the two culprits, saw the lighter side of it.
The magnificent Gems:
Tatenda Dziva, Felistas Kwangwa, Yvonne Madzikangava, Ndaizivei Madzikangava, Perpetual Siyachitema, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Pauline Jani, Beaulla Hlongwane, Alice Tewera, Netsai Muchemwa, Tafadzwa Mawango, Edzai Nkosana.