Skipper Siyachitema targets Netball gold

SENIOR netball national team captain Perpetua Siyachitema has said they have the pedigree to defend their Africa Netball Championships title when the competition roars into life on Saturday in Uganda.

Zimbabwe join Botswana, Uganda, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia in Kampala for the weeklong competition that runs until June 30.

Siyachitema, who has indicated this will be her last tournament with the national team as she retires to focus on club competition and coaching, said she would want to defend the championship.

“I once talked to the girls and I said this tournament is going to be dedicated to me. We have to go and win. I am just going to play my heart out because I really need this win so that even when I retire, I will say I have two gold medals from the Africa Championships.

“I think this is the last event. I am just going to concentrate on my coaching and when I come back (from Uganda) I will be preparing for the World Cup with the Under-21s.

“I will be the assistant coach, so basically I am just going to concentrate with my coaching,” said Siyachitema.

The 34-year-old believes they have done all they can to prepare themselves for the assignment.

“As far as the preparations are going I think we are doing well, it’s close to a month now since we have been in camp.

“I think the coaches have worked on all the angles that needed to be corrected. So basically I can say the girls are so much geared up for the tournament and I think we are going to defend the championship.”

The tournament will be played on a round-robin basis and Zimbabwe begin their campaign against Malawi on Sunday.

“The match is very crucial and one thing I am liking about the girls is everyone is so eager to play against Malawi.

“So we are very much geared up for the game and psychologically I think we are all prepared for the match, we are going to really try our best.

“Since we have been together for so many years, we know each other, the combinations and the skills. So I think it’s going to help us as well,” said Siyachitema

However, she acknowledges it’s not going to be an easy task against countries like Malawi who are ranked among the top netball playing nations on the continent and Uganda, being home, are likely to come out in full force.

“The only country I think is going to give us a challenge is Malawi of which we are so geared up to play them.

“Another country will be Uganda, because of the support it’s going to be a little bit of a challenge.

“But I think we are going to make it,” said Siyachitema.

Coach, Ropafadzo Mutsauki, is expected to name his final team tomorrow.