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Brighton Zhawi in GABORONE, Botswana
ZIMBABWE netball Gems suffered a heartbreaking 43-42 loss to Uganda in a gripping Africa Championship/World Cup qualifier encounter at Botswana Courts yesterday.The East Africans, favourites to win the competition, found the deciding goal in the last seconds of the match.

Zimbabwe needed to win to keep alive chances of making it to Australia’s World Cup next year.

There is still hope, though, for the Zimbabweans who meet lightweights Namibia today before playing Swaziland and Zambia in a bid to be one of the three countries to join Malawi and South Africa to the World Cup.

Zimbabwe started yesterday’s match brightly showing willingness and determination, which was scarce in the loss to Botswana.

They were led by the impressive defence duo of goal keeper Patience Chinhoyi and experienced Daphine Agere, although the former switched off in the later stages of the game maybe due to a knee injury suffered when she slipped at the hotel.

Shooting was not as clinical but the Gems raced to a 6-2 lead early in the game, with defence doing well to silence the dangerous Uganda goal shooter Peace Proscovin and Amono Florence on goal attack.

Uganda slowly found their game forcing opponents to crowd and struggle in their passing fluidity in the mid court, and they subsequently recovered to edge past the Zimbabweans 12-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Zimbabwe introduced Miriam Lazaro for Paidamoyo Tinoza at goal attack, while Media Mafuta made way for debutant Felistus Kwangwa at wing defence and the switching appeared to inspire the team which quickly restored parity 12-12.

Despite some stray passing in the mid court, the Gems took the second stanza 22-21 as Jani’s scoring got better with time.

Zimbabwe coach Ledwine Dondo believes if they can reproduce the same spirit they displayed against Uganda, they could qualify.

“I will motivate them (players) that we are still in the competition, three teams are going to Australia, let’s fight to be one of them.