THE Zimbabwe Senior Netball team returned to competitive action for the first time in two years with a date against Malawi a few hours after their arrival in Namibia for the Africa Championships and Pent Series this afternoon.
Since the heroic seventh-place finish in their maiden appearance at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool, the Gems’ only campaign was the Africa Netball Cup in South Africa in October 2019.
There the team finished a commendable fourth as their mercurial rise continued before the Covid-19 interrupted their growth.
From the darlings of the world that charmed all and sundry in Liverpool with victories over Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland on Saturday, they quietly sneaked out of the country on road. How history quickly forgets yesterday’s achievements. They left in the safe company of their supportive president Letitia Chipandu and tried and trusted head coach Lloyd Makunde among other officials. UK based player and captain Flisitus is leading her charges in the African Safari.
The girls, however, put up a spirited show in the 50-38 defeat despite the evident fatigue from travelling a long distance and getting into the match straight away without rest.
Eight teams are taking part in the Africa Cup tournament. These are Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, hosts Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Tomorrow they are back again in the game with a date against Kenya at 2 pm.
Zimbabwe Team
GK- Priscilla Ndlovu, GD- Felisitus Kwangwa, WD- Claris Kwaramba, C- Nobukhosi Ncube, WA- Progress Moyo, GA- Tafadzwa Matura, GS- Sharon Bwanali
