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Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE curtain will come down on what has been an absorbing and reverting Premier Netball League with ZDF Queens expected to wrap up the title at White City Stadium in Bulawayo next week.

The bubble will take place over two days ending on November 17. The tight marathon has now been whittled down to a two-horse race between leaders and favourites ZDF Queens and army rivals Black Rhinos Queens.

That only two points separate the top two who will also face-off in a much-awaited finale adds to the excitement and sub-plots heading into last weekend of action in the country’s elite league.

But ZDF Queens, while leading the race, also have a game in hand which they can exploit before even playing Black Rhinos.

The outstanding match for them is not an easy one though as they will play third-placed Harare City who will be eager to cement a top-three place and revenge for their close defeat to the military team in the reverse fixture.

If Harare City, now a stronger and well-motivated outfit than they were in the first half of the season, manage to stop ZDF Queens and Black Rhinos, as expected, win their games, the uniformed forces derby will then decide who takes home the crown in their own duel.

And that only adds to the excitement going into next weekend.
The games have been on hold to allow the Gems more time to prepare for the historic Celtic International Cup Series currently underway in Cardiff, Scotland.

The Ropafadzo Mutsauki girls were scheduled to kick-off their campaign against Northern Ireland at 10pm last night.

They will face Wales and Scotland today and tomorrow to complete the round-robin which will then see third and fourth placed teams playing each other for the bronze medal while the top-two will battle it out for the gold on Sunday.

After the Celtic Cup tournament, Zimbabwe will then play England in Manchester in a friendly on Tuesday before they fly back to join their clubs in time for the season finale.

PNL spokesperson Innocent Ndiya said all roads will be leading to Bulawayo next week.

“After a long break designed to give the Gems amble time to prepare and participate in their tour of the UK, action will be back next week as we go into the final and decisive phase of the PNL race,” said Ndiya.

“Some teams will be fighting to finish strongly and others will be battling to stay afloat.

“It promises to be a massive weekend for PNL and the players who are in the Gems squad will also add more gloss to the competition as they would have gained a lot in their tour of duty.

“It has been a really successful season for us and we hope to put the icing on the cake next week.”
The winners will be presented with trophies and medals soon after the last match of the season between ZDF Queens and Black Rhinos.

The PNL will then rubber-stamp the marathon with an award ceremony to be held in the capital a week later.

PNL Season Final Fixture

16 November

Court 1

ZDF v 7 Flames

Beitbridge v Mutare City

7 Flames v Black Rhinos

ZDF v Argisters

Beitbridge v Marondera

Black Rhinos v ZUPCO

ZUPCO v St P&P

7 Flames v St P&P

Court 2

Harare City v St P&P

JT High Fliers v Falcons

Harare District v Harare City

Falcons v Marondera

Mutare City v St P&P

7 Flames v Waterfalls

Argisters v Falcons

Court 3

Beitbridge v Stormers

Marondera v Argisters

Stormers v Argisters

City Angels v ZUPCO

Harare District v JT High Fliers

Falcons v JT High Fliers

17 November

Court 1

ZDF v Harare City

City Angels v Falcons

7 Flames v Falcons

7 Flames v St P&P

Stormers v Falcons

Falcons v St P&P

Beitbridge v Waterfalls

Beitbridge v 7 Flames

Court 2

Harare District v St P&P

Marondera v St P&P

Mutare City v JT High Fliers

Harare District v ZUPCO

Mutare City v Marondera

Argisters v ZUPCO

City Angels v Argisters

Court 3

Stormers v Mutare City

Stormers v Waterfalls

Beitbridge v ZUPCO

JT High Fliers v Argisters

St P&P v Waterfalls

Beitbridge v JT High Fliers

Final match ZDF v Black Rhinos