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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
AS the Netball World Youth Cup gets closer, Under-21 coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki has named an 18-member squad expected to troop into camp before the end of this month in Harare. The Under-21 side make their maiden appearance at the world tournament in July, in Gaborone, Botswana. The event runs from July 8 to 16 and 20 countries drawn into four pools will take part.

Mutsauki said taking into account the magnitude of the event, they are going for experience with most of the players coming from the Super League.

“We are hoping to get into camp this coming weekend. We have a team of 18 players and we are considering those with experience because at this level of the game competition is high. So we took mostly players from the league because we are looking at how difficult the games are,” said Mutsauki.

Zimbabwe will battle it out in pool B together with Australia, who have won the title four times since 1988 when the first edition was held, South Africa, Barbados and Singapore.

Mutsauki is aware they have a difficult assignment ahead of them but for him this is an opportunity for exposure and wants his players to approach the games with a positive mindset.

“We are a good side because to make it to that Cup means we have done something right and it’s important we play top teams. We will gain more and it will boost our confidence. We are going there as underdogs.

“I lost the whole defence because of age, so we have to start from the goal shooter to the goal keeper, if we defend as a team our play will be strong,” said Mutsauki.

The 18 players will be trimmed down to 14 before he names the final team of 12. This is the first time the International Netball Federation is going to stage an international event on the African continent.

Zimbabwe qualified for the competition when they came second behind South Africa during the qualifiers last year and Uganda were third to earn their places at the tournament.

Botswana qualify by the virtue of being hosts.

The tournament is the pinnacle of netball competition for emerging players under the age of 21 years the international federation has held this competition every four years since 1988.

Only two countries New Zealand and Australia have won the title since 1988.

New Zealand, who are the defending champions going into this year’s competition have won a record three times while Australia, who were the runners-up in the previous edition, in 2013 claimed the title four times.

Provisional Squad:

Sharon Bwanali, Lynette Tanhira, Gladys Zvavapo, Sharleen Makusha, Thelma Maseure, Salma Danihaji, Prisca Chinyama, Claris Kwaramba, Mitchel Muzanenhamo, Prudence Sibanda, Mercy Mkwadi, Chido Chiwenga, Nomagugu Makhalima, Sanele Ncube, Shalom Ncube, Vimbai Chirinda, Patricia Mauladi, Sarudzai Busu.

Pools

Pools A: New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Samoa.

Pool B: Australia, South Africa, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Singapore.

Pool C: Jamaica, Botswana, Cook Islands, Malaysia, Uganda.

Pool D: England, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales, Grenada.