The Gems in their first Diamond Challenge match

Bret Kamutenga

ZIMBABWE senior netball women’s team, the Gems, will on Tuesday plunge into battle against South Africa’s President’s XII in their first game of the Spar Diamond Challenge at Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall.

The five-day tournament will feature three countries,  hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Scotland. Malawi pulled out of the competition and they were replaced by South Africa’s President’s XII netball team.

Besides England-based team captain Felisitus Kwangwa, Zimbabwe has 19- year-old goal shooter Thandazile Ndlovu. Ndlovu had an outstanding performance with the Under- 19s at the Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations Tri-nations Cup held in June, in Malawi.

The SA President’s XII will play invitational matches against all the participating teams. All matches will be broadcast on SuperSport Variety 4 (Ch 209).

In another match set for Tuesday, South Africa will meet Scotland.

Zim Netball Gems in action against Barbados in the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool in 2019

Players that were part of the World Cup qualifiers in August that include Australia-based Joice Takaidza, Priscilla Ndlovu, Progress Moyo and vice-captain Claris Kwaramba are not part of Zimbabwe’s squad that made the trip to South Africa.

The Spar Diamond Challenge has been on a four-year hiatus and it makes a return ahead of the 2023 World Cup which is set for July.   

Gems Squad

Felisitus Kwangwa, Sharleen Makusha, Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura, Beaula Hlungwani, Thandazile Ndlovu, Ursula Ndlovu, Nicole Muzanenhamo, Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Rudo Simbi, Elizabeth Mushore, Assa Siyai, Takadanaishe Zimusi, Lynette Tanhira, Kudakwashe Muchongwe and Thandekile Mahlangu.

 

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