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Ellina Mhlanga

Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER suffering their first defeat of the season during the weekend’s games in the Premier Netball League, defending champions Platinum Queens coach Simbarashe Mlambo says they have to reflect on it and improve some areas as a team.

The Zvishavane-based side have had a good run since the launch of the PNL in 2021.

They were unbeaten in the first season of the PNL to finish the season with 79 points from 39 wins and one draw.

They retained the title last year when winning all their league games, maintaining their unbeaten run as well.

However, their fine run in the league came to a screeching halt on Saturday when they lost 34-26 to Ngezi Platinum Queens.

“We have never lost a game since 2020 actually and it was a first defeat to Ngezi. I think a lot was at play.

“Obviously as a team we have our own mistakes and we don’t want to shift any blame towards anything. We needed to step up. We needed to be mentally stable and I think perhaps we faltered mentally and we couldn’t handle the pressure of Ngezi playing at home.

“And we were depleted because we did not have Elizabeth (Mushore), we did not have Claris (Kwaramba) and Silibaziso (Shumba). Obviously maybe we did not have the depth we expected to have and we were supposed for such a crucial game against Ngezi.

“Obviously given the chance with a full squad let’s see what will happen in the future.

“It’s a game, it happens, and obviously we want to pick up where we left and we will reflect on it and meditate on it and think about it and see how best we can surprise them in the second leg.

“But definitely mentally I think we got defeated and we paid the price,” said Mlambo.

The trio of Claris Kwaramba, Elizabeth Mushore and Silibaziso Shumba are in camp with the senior national team — the Gems.

Platinum Queens won the other two matches when beating Mutare City 44-14 and Harare District 39-23 at the weekend. With the season still in its early stages, Mlambo said they will bounce back and would want to retain the title to make it three in a row.

“We know our mistakes, we know where we went wrong, we know what could be possibly improved on. So we are definitely going to work on that and see how best we (can) achieve our objective. At the end of the day we must retain our championship and losing one game doesn’t really reflect well on us.

“I guess because we haven’t lost in a very long while and so the feeling was not so good and the girls were not so much amused. But we will pick up, head up and shoulders high and we get back, get our sneakers on and let’s see what happens in training sessions, and improve on one or two things,” Mlambo said. Meanwhile, it was an interesting weekend for GreenFuel who maintained their perfect start.

The Chisumbanje-based side has made significant progress in the league and coach Sibonginkosi Dube was impressed with her side that also overcame seasoned campaigners ZDF Queens.

“Our game against ZDF was always going to be a battle of wills and a battle of minds because both teams had four players in the national camp who are the backbone of the teams.

“I think in this game we managed to do what has eluded us so much in so many games, especially in tough games.

“We led from the first whistle and we managed to keep our foot on the accelerator even when ZDF fought back. We still managed to keep our foot on the accelerator and controlled the tempo of the game and at the end of day collect maximum points.