Zimpapers Logo

From Brighton Zhawi in GABORONE, Botswana
THE Zimbabwe netball Gems got their African Championship campaign to a losing start, falling at the hands of the hosts Botswana in a gripping encounter at the Botswana Netball Association yesterday.After trailing for three quarters of the match, Zimbabwe fought hard to gain parity at 36-36 with less than five minutes to play, but once they failed to utilise their centre pass, the writing was on the wall.

They eventually lost 38-41 in  the opening match of the now six-team World Cup qualifying tournament which is now using the round-robin format after Tanzania and Kenya failed to travel.

There was more great news for Africa who already have Malawi and South Africa booked at next year’s Sydney World Cup, as the International Federation of Netball (INF) said the top three teams from this tournament will qualify for the World Cup, with the third finisher going as a developmental side.

Zimbabwe needed to break the opening match losing jinx after failing to win in three previous editions while Botswana wanted to revenge against their neighbours who beat them in Malawi last year.

The Gems were in a  nervy start characterised by elementary errors that allowed the hosts, led by their incisive wing attack Gagatheko Tuhelametsi and inspirational skipper Portia Rasekhumba’s precision under the hoop, to take a comfortable 6-1 lead early in the match.

Zimbabwe had showed faith in young Glow Petroleum shooter Paidamoyo Tinoza to lead the attack ahead of experienced Pauline Jani but the youngster struggled.

The usually weak defence was tight and solid thanks to the experience and willingness of Daphine Agere and lanky goal keeper Patience Chinhoyi who won many rebounds, but their efforts could not stop a disciplined Botswana to win the opening quarter 12-7.

Needing to find a way in the contest, the Gems started the second phase positively with some fluidity in their favoured short passing game.

But inconsistency somehow found its way in their game with slovenly passing at times and Tinoza’s travails still featuring. A strong finish and display of fighting spirit saw them reduce the deficit to three points, going into the main breather trailing 15-18.

The introduction of Jani at goal shooter with Tinoza switching to goal attack while Media Mafuta replaced Sheila Manyatela at wing defence, provided some impetus in their game.

But hosts did well to maintain their lead going into the last stanza winning 30-27 that set up a riveting final phase.

Zimbabwe threw everything to go level for the first time in the game but noone could inspire an overturn.

They will require a polished performance against world number 15 Uganda tomorrow if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive.