Ellina Mhlanga

Zimpapers Sports Hub

OFTEN this is perhaps one of the most underrated teams in the country.

Yet the world ranking and continued bold steps to stand against the world’s best tell a different story.

It is a story of the Gems on the rise.

Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki is content with the strides the senior national netball team is making following a third-place finish at the just-ended Africa Netball Cup.

The week-long tournament was held in Lilongwe, Malawi, with women’s and men’s teams competing.

The Gems, for the second year running, beat Malawi in the third-place play-off at the continental show-piece to walk away with bronze.

And if such consistency cannot allow the team to dream bigger, then nothing will. Mutsauki believes something special is brewing.

“What I can say is, the team played well,” he said.

“I am happy with the team’s performance because taking into consideration the games the team played within two weeks, I think we played quite a number of games.

“Also looking at the preparations we had I think the team did really well because in some instances we were affected by the rains, and we could not really prepare well.

“And looking at how we travelled from Scotland, there was no time to rest. But they managed to finish third.

“It shows that the team can maintain that top three position or reach the top two with time, which means it’s a process to get to that level.

“But so far so good. I am seeing the team improving with each game, that’s why I am saying the team performed well.”

Prior to their participation at the Africa Cup, the Gems competed at the Celtic Cup in Scotland and finished fourth in the six-team tournament.

They immediately shifted their focus to the continental games, and they won two of their three group games, beating Namibia and Kenya to advance to the semi-finals as the second-best team behind Uganda who won all their pool matches.

Zimbabwe then lost to eventual winners South Africa in the semi-final before defeating Malawi to walk away with bronze.

For Zimbabwe, the goal is to have a formidable team in place that can qualify and compete at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

“Looking at the Malawi game, this is the second time we have beaten them in this cup. Last year we beat them, this year we have defeated them again.

“They came for friendlies in Zimbabwe and we beat them in two games. It’s an indication we are building a team with direction.

“If we can get adequate resources, this team can go far. There is so much potential, it comprises players who believe they can beat any team in the near future.

“If we keep working hard as a team, also looking at the Government and the support they give us we can go far.

“If these players keep getting the needed support, I am sure we can compete with such teams as Uganda, South Africa and even Malawi because we are not yet where we want to be. It’s a process to be able to qualify for the 2027 World Cup,” Mutsauki said.