Young Gems excited by World Cup qualifying challenge
WITH just a few days to go before the Netball World Youth Cup qualifiers get underway in South Africa, Young Gems captain Thandazile Ndhlovu says the team is ready for the challenge.
The team is expected to leave for South Africa this week.
The event is due to take place from March 17 to 23 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Under-21 side got into camp two weeks ago at Girls High School.
“So, the preparations have been going well so far. I think we are ready to go and compete in South Africa.
“I feel excited to be the captain representing my country,” said Ndhlovu.
The Young Gems’ last competition was in 2022 when they won gold at the Confederation of Southern African Netball Association (COSANA) Games in Malawi.
Ndhlovu, was crowned Goal Shooter of the tournament.
As they brace for the upcoming qualifiers, the 20-year-old believes experience from previous competitions will come into handy.
“I was the best goal shooter in Malawi, so I think that experience is important, and we will go and try to work hard so that we win.
“Some of the players, I think we know them. We have also played with them before. So, I think we will go and put pressure on our opponents,” said Ndhlovu.
Nedbank who sponsored the senior national team last year for the World Cup and Africa Netball Cup participation in South
Africa and Botswana respectively, last Friday extended their support to the Under-21s when they unveiled a US$25 000 sponsorship.
Vice-captain Faith Mutero said they have been working hard since they got into camp.
“We want to be one of the best squads and we are working extra hard by ensuring we sharpen our skills to produce good results and advance our team to the next level. To qualify for the World Youth Cup and raise the flag of our country high.
“I am just happy being part of the team. I would say this opportunity has given me the privilege to enhance and discover my true potential through encouragement from my seniors, my coaches and manager who has obtained more experience in the world of netball,” said Mutero.
Gems captain Felisitus Kwangwa is the team manager and for some of the young players she is an inspiration having become the first player from a local league to join the Vitality Netball Superleague in the UK when she signed for Surrey Storm in 2020 for their 2021 season.
She went on to play for the English side for three seasons. She is now back home.
Kwangwa caught the eye of Surrey Storm during the World Cup in Liverpool, in 2019.
Last year she led the Gems to their second successive appearance at the World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Tapiwa Chirenda is the head coach for the Under-21 side.
Zimbabwe Netball Association president Letitia Chipandu believes the team stands a good chance of qualifying for next year’s World Youth Cup to take place in Gibraltar.
“There were three slots on offer for Africa Region and with juniors it’s an open tournament. These don’t have a history, so they are going into it open minded and I am sure they will do their best and win and qualify because we do have, like these two players the captain Thandazile and Faith, they are seasoned players.
“They play in the league, so is with all the other players, they are playing in the different leagues, Division One, or PNL or RANL, so they are ready.
“I think they are better prepared than we were in 2017,” said Chipandu.
Zimbabwe competed at the World Youth Cup in 2017 hosted by Botswana and finished on position 9 out of 20 countries.
They had earned their place at the global event, when they came second during the qualifiers in 2016 also held in Botswana.
Some of the countries expected to take part at this year’s qualifiers include hosts South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Kenya.
Team: Thandazile Ndhlovu (captain), Nikki Mandeya, Lubelihle Khumalo, Ruvimbo Pawandiwa, Faith Mutero (vice-captain), Sharon Mugwara, Natasha Rwambiwa, Ester Kasiku, Thandiwe Mashore, Charlotte Ndlovu, Beyonce Ndaradzi, Nyaradzai Muzondiwa, Yemurai Seven, Amackella Phiri, Androllar Munkuli.
Technical Team: Tapiwa Chirenda (head coach), Simbarashe Mlambo (assistant coach), Sibonginkosi Dube (second assistant coach), Felisitus Kwangwa (team manager), Rangarirai Musarurwa (strength and conditioning).