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Ellina Mhlanga

Senior Sports Reporter

NGEZI Platinum Queens manager Getrude Sibanda says the positive outcome from the weekend’s games in the Premier Netball League is a motivation for the team to continue working hard as they fancy their chances in the title race.

They utislised the home advantage when they won all their matches on Saturday, beating defending champions Platinum Queens 34-26 in what was the major highlight of the games played in Mhondoro-Ngezi.

They also defeated Mutare City 48-12 and overpowered Harare District 41-19.

They went into the weekend’s games guided by assistant coach Paidamoyo Pedzisayi as head coach Tapiwa Chirenda is in camp with the Gems, in Harare.

Sibanda was full of praise for the players for the teamwork and fighting spirit, in particular for their encounter against Platinum Queens.

“The girls played well although it was a strong team. I think there were the tough opponents during the weekend’s games.

“It was a tough match but the girls worked hard and coach Tapiwa’s guidance helped although he was not around.”

It was the second round of matches that are being played in clusters after every two weeks.

Ngezi Platinum are now occupying the top spot on the log table with 14 points from seven matches.

Sibanda said they have to keep working hard to get more positive results as they target the title this season.

“It was our wish to beat Platinum Queens and to be number one on the table. So now we have to work even harder because there is still a lot of work to do. All the teams will be targeting us even when we enter the second half of the season, including Platinum Queens.

“So we are not going to relax because with this game, you never know. So we will keep working hard. But we are really excited.

“We want to win the championship, that’s our target,” said Sibanda.

Some of their outstanding players on the day include defenders Lizzie Kanyekwere and Alice Tewera. Taslima Mudima, playing centre, had a good day on the court and Merjury Marumerofa as well.

In other matches, GreenFuel had a fruitful weekend upsetting ZDF Queens, one of the seasoned teams in local netball, 30-26 in Chisumbanje. They also beat Waterfalls 46-18 before dismissing Beitbridge Border 57-12.

ZDF Queens coach Joel Sibanda said they did well even though they lost to GreenFuel.

“The players performed very well even though we lost to GreenFuel.

“But next time they should give good umpires for derbies because some of them are not for the derbies only.

“That loss it’s now water under the bridge. l am now focusing on the next bubble,” said Sibanda.

Results

Platinum Queens 44,  Mutare City 14; Platinum Queens 39, Harare District 23; Ngezi Platinum Queens 48, Mutare City 12; Ngezi Platinum Queens 34,  Platinum Queens 26; Ngezi Platinum Queens 41, Harare District 19; Black Rhinos 44, Filchrist ZJC 6; Black Rhinos 29, Zupco15; Black Rhinos 44,   Marondera14; Filchrist ZJC 25, Zupco 24; Marondera 28, Zupco 23; Harare City 34, Stormers 18; Harare City 36, Filchrist Boarding 18; Stormers 31, Filchrist Boarding 19, Beitbridge Border Queens 22, Waterfalls 24; GreenFuel 30, ZDF Queens 26; Beitbridge Border Queens 20, Expendable 33; GreenFuel 46, Waterfalls 18; ZDF Queens 73,  Expandable 15; GreenFuel 57, Beitbridge Border Queens 12; ZDF Queens 63, Waterfalls 16; ZDF Queens 67, Beitbridge Border 16; Waterfalls 36, Expandable 26.