The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
ZIMBABWE’s senior netball team has congratulated the ladies senior cricket team for an impressive show at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers held in Botswana recently.
Finishing with an unbeaten run at the tournament, the Lady Chevrons secured a berth at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers scheduled for next year.
The top two teams at the global qualifiers will qualify for the World Cup finals slated for South Africa in 2023.
“It feels great to see fellow ladies excelling like this, raising the national flag high. This is a positive step towards their World Cup dream, and reflecting on how we made it to the Netball World Cup in 2019, we are very optimistic they can do it…they simply need to put their best into it,” said Gems captain Felisitus Kwangwa.
At the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup, the Gems made an impressive debut, finishing the global tournament on eighth position.
Former Gems skipper Perpetua Siyachitema, who led the charges to the World Netball Cup before retiring from international netball, was full of praise for the Lady Chevrons.
“When you have a dream, you can do anything within your power to push for it to come true, and this is how we made it to Liverpool in 2019,” said the Glow Petroleum Queens coach.
“The Lady Chevrons are almost there, this is now the time for them to unleash the passion and drive which keeps a woman going; this is their time to rub shoulders with the global giants.”
Renowned goal attacker Ursula Ndlovu feels that the Lady Chevrons have already set a strong foundation and that they should remain resolute to finish the battle.
She said they should invest more in training and improving their game.
“The journey is tough but I believe if the Gems made it, then the Lady Chevrons can also do it. After all, ladies have a rare drive that makes them stronger than men.
“They need to stay focused, learn from the negatives and as a team find ways to improve and bank on their strengths,” said Ndlovu.
Gems goal shooter Pauline Jani, who also called on time to her international career soon after the global showcase in 2019, said fighting for a spot at the global tournament needs commitment and teamwork.
She urged cricketers to focus on fighting as a team if they are to make an impression at the upcoming tournament.
“Such high-profile tournaments are of intense competition and the only way to win is through teamwork…this is no longer time to seek individual glory but to work as a team,” she said.
“As a team, you know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and at such tournaments, you should know how to communicate without saying a word, how to read each other’s minds, cover up for each other and build the best combinations.
“Furthermore, you should also strengthen your bonds as a team beyond the changing room, if you become friends as a team, it means you are united and oftentimes that is a recipe for winning.”
