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Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWE junior men’s handball team coach Tafadzwa Madure says a win in their first encounter at the International Handball Federation Trophy Continental Phase tournament will go a long way in motivating the players.

The continental event comes to life today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It will run until Wednesday with junior (Under-20) and youth (Under-18) teams taking part. Zimbabwe qualified for the Under-20 age-group and they are up against Congo, Reunion, Rwanda and Guinea.

The team arrived in the East African country yesterday for the five-day competition and get their campaign underway today with a match against Reunion at the Ethiopian Sports Academy.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Madure said they were good to go.

“We had good training yesterday and today. Fortunately, no injuries now we are shifting focus to going there and showcase the talent these athletes.

“It’s very crucial (to win the first game). If we manage to win that game, the boys will be in the mood of winning.

“But if we go out there and we get punished the whole tournament we will be down since it’s their first time, they don’t know the level of competition that’s there.

“They will start thinking that we won’t make it, and it will be difficult for us to start motivating them. But if we win that game, it will be a very good motivation to us,” said Madure.

Some of the players have been part of the youth side and competed at the Zone VI event in 2022 and this year in May.

However, they are going for the Continental Phase for the first time and Madure warned his charges against underrating their opponents.

“It’s a whole new team for this age group. There is no one in this team who has played this level of competition before.

“They are all new to this tournament, they might think that since we won Southern Africa, we might go there and win again. But when it comes to international, we need to be very serious.

“I have been there; I have watched those teams play and they need to be very serious if they want to win.

“But with the response that I get from them, I am no longer pushing them, but they are also pushing me. They are really happy, and they are really in the mood of playing those games.

“And I know with that mindset that they have plus the combinations that we are trying to have, probably we will get a result there,” said Madure.

The players have expressed their excitement to be part of the continental event having earned their place when they beat Zambia in the final of the Zone VI in May, in Harare.

Beitbridge-based Thomas Chiramba said they are going to give their best as they face some of the top teams on the continent.

“This is something new to me, I just started playing handball last year, but I am looking forward to the competition.

“To our fans back home, we are just saying keep supporting us. We are going to give our best. It’s also an opportunity for us to showcase our talent and maybe we will be scouted by other clubs.

“We have really been working hard so that we are ready for the tournament,” said Chiramba.

Junior (Under-20) Competition Schedule

Today: Rwanda vs Congo, Zimbabwe vs Reunion.

Tomorrow: Congo vs Zimbabwe, Rwanda vs Guinea.

Monday: Guinea vs Reunion, Zimbabwe vs Rwanda.

Tuesday: Guinea vs Zimbabwe, Reunion vs Congo.

Wednesday: Reunion vs Rwanda, Congo vs Guinea.