Young Gems seek to bounce back

09 Dec, 2018 - 00:12 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Veronica Gwaze

Despite the unforeseen setback, Zimbabwe Under 20-Netball coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki remains optimistic that his charges will bounce back to winning ways.

The Young Gems will today take on Lesotho at the ongoing African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games.

Yesterday’s 48-40 to the neighbors South Africa was more or less expected as the South Africans are stern favorites to win the tourney.

Not far behind are Zimbabwe who opened up their accounts with successive 54-34 and 62-22 wins over Botswana and Namibia respectively.

They currently sit on second position together with Zambia on four points, two behind first placed South Africa.

“We opened up on a very high note, beating Botswana to whom we had fallen last year when we finished third after South Africa and them.

“The two wins and the eight-score loss to South Africa can best be described as a confidence booster for the girls as we journey on,” he said, in a telephone interview.

Mutsauki acknowledged that his charges were desperate for a win.

“This time we went a gear up in terms of preparations because coming here we were gunning for gold.

“We focused heavily on South Africa and Botswana after they gave us a torrid time last year.

“I am happy, we swiftly went past Botswana.

“Though we lost to South Africa, I am very happy with the way the girls played.

“We take great comfort in the narrow margin we lost by, because it shows improvement,” said the gaffer.

Ahead of today’s game against Lesotho, the young Gems need to harness that confidence and dominate.

The team seeks to finish up their preliminary rounds on a high, hoping to meet South Africa again in the finals.

“So far the girls have played according to game plan and I am glad it is paying off.

“This preliminary stage game against South Africa was very crucial because we took it more as a value addition game.

“We identified our strengths and weaknesses and studied them too.

“They really felt our pressure as evidenced by lots of substitutions that they introduced later in the game but as for us, we stuck to our team.

“I am sure we are making it into the finals and hope to play them (South Africa) again,” said coach Mutsauki.

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