Handball teams intensify Zone Six preps

THE national Under-21 and 18-and-Under handball teams got down to business early this week as they finalise preparations for the International Handball Federation Zone Six Challenge Trophy tournament in Lusaka, Zambia, next week.

The regional competition runs from April 24 to 27 with the Under-21 and Under-18 boys teams taking part.

Zimbabwe are fielding teams in both age-groups and they have been working out at Pathway School in Chitungwiza.

The two sides are set to leave for Zambia on Monday.

Under-21 assistant coach Cephas Mushati said although they would have wanted a longer camp since some of the players did not attend all the periodic camps they were holding during weekends, they will utilise the few days left to make their final touches.

“The players are all here now. Our focus is to come up with real combinations now taking from previous periodic camps.

“We have been trying to come with a good drill but our setback was that some players could not make it for all the periodic camps, some would attend the other camp and not attend the next one.

“But now with the final camp we are like summerising all that we did in those camps with a manageable number (of players) to come up with a formidable team.

“We would have loved a long camp, at least three weeks so that we can cover almost all the aspects but we couldn’t make it due to some circumstances,” said Mushati

However, Mushati said although some of players failed to attend all the periodic meetings, he is pleased with the way the team is shaping up.

“They guys are coming up, actually we are trying out the final combinations and working on their mental strength. We are not worried much with loading them with physical work because they were active in their clubs,” said Mushati.

The tournament is serving as a qualifying event for next year’s Youth and Junior World championships.

The other countries that are expected in Lusaka are Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa.

Under-21 provisional squad

Kevin Munemo, Takunda Matiyashe, Nyashadzashe Zunguza, Takudzwa Muroiwa, Clinton Sikupa, Pabalo Siziba, Simon Hama, Eugene Pedro, Bongani Khumalo, Arnold Beta, Tanaka Makanga, Godfrey Maulana, Kudzai Masiko, Tinashe Tawaya, Brighton Ndimande, Vincent Badza.