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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

UNDER-21 women’s team coach Tendayi Maredza says they are still behind in their build-up for the upcoming Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup scheduled to take place in December but is confident they will be ready by the time the event starts.

The Women’s Junior World Cup is due to take place from December 5 to 16 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Zimbabwe will be among the 16 countries competing.

Maredza said they are making good progress.

“So the training sessions have been going well, obviously now it’s hot, so some of them (players) you can feel that they are getting a bit tired, they need a break.

“But we have been working hard, overloading them because we know we are still a bit behind because of the lockdowns…At the same time, we also need to make sure that we take care of them body wise and get them a rest. But it’s looking good.

“We are still going to have these four sessions a week for the fitness on Tuesday and then Friday, Saturday, Sunday and then maybe a couple of breaks.

“And then once the other players that are abroad come back then we are going to try and just push them all and have a bit of a break before we go,” said Maredza.

He is currently working with the locally-based players.

“We want to make history and hopefully we will play well at the World Cup. It’s not going to be easy but we are going to give it all,” said Maredza.

The coach has indicated that he would want the team to go beyond group stages.