Gems Gear Up for Crucial International Friendlies in Harare

The Zimbabwe Netball Association is leaving no stone unturned as preparations gather pace for a blockbuster three-day international friendly series later this month.

From October 23–25, Harare will host Malawi and Botswana in a showdown that brings together Zimbabwe’s finest – the Gems, the up-and-coming Zambezi Eagles, and the men’s side, the Golden Flyers.

The squads regroup on October 5, with longtime partner Nedbank once again backing the national teams. Head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki, who will be working alongside assistant Pepetua Siyachitema, says the camp comes at just the right time.

“The team is ready to take to the court, do well and make the nation proud – including the new players we are bringing in for this camp,” Mutsauki told reporters.

At least 30 women and 20 men will assemble before the squads are trimmed down to 15 players each, in preparation for two major tests ahead: the Celtic Cup in Scotland this November and the African Championships in Malawi in December.

The Gems head into camp with confidence, having claimed bronze at last year’s Celtic Cup after stunning Northern Ireland. This year’s edition has doubled in size, with six teams competing, and Zimbabwe are aiming for another podium finish.

Africa remains a tough battlefield. Malawi are currently third on the continent, with South Africa and Uganda occupying the top two slots, while Zimbabwe are just behind in fourth place and 13th in the world rankings.

But the Gems have already proven they can punch above their weight. At the 2023 African Championships in Namibia, they stunned Malawi 48-42 in the bronze playoff, and also recorded their first win over Uganda in over a decade.

Mutsauki insists the focus now is on sharpening both the physical and technical aspects of the game:
“Our aim is to assemble a team good enough to compete at the highest level. We’ve already gone straight into business to make sure we are ready for the upcoming competitions.”

For Zimbabwean netball, October’s friendlies are more than just warm-ups – they are the springboard to a decisive international season.