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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE netball team coach Lloyd Makunde says they have to go a gear up as they prepare for the World Cup set for Liverpool, England, this July.

Makunde named a 24-member provisional squad last week and most of the players reported for camp.

“It’s the second week now, we are still working on our fitness levels. So, we are fusing it with a little bit of some ball work so that we look at their fitness levels and see how we can progress with our preparations during the camp.

“We really need more time.

“I wish we had like six months to practice before the World Cup but, unfortunately, we don’t have. So, we have to do with the time we have but we still need to work very hard so that when we go to the World Cup we don’t go there to just add numbers,” said Makunde.

The Gems are this month expected to travel to Uganda for some friendlies before they engage South Africa and Zambia as part of their preparations.

South Africa and Uganda are also going for the World Cup.

“It will definitely help with fine-tuning our team because when we look at South Africa they played Australia and they lost by four goals. Uganda are a very good side as well,” said Makunde.