Zimbabwe’s netball team edged closer to their goal of qualifying for their second successive Netball World Cup with a dominant 43-33 win over Tanzania in an entertaining Pool A encounter at the continental qualifiers in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The Gems dominated the match from the start with star goal shooter Sharon Bwanali recovering from the injury she suffered against Namibia on Wednesday to take part in this match.
Attacker Tafadzwa Matura, who picked up consecutive Player of the Match accolades in the opening two matches against Botswana and Namibia was yet again in superb form while Beaula Hlungwane was named player of the match.
Zimbabwe will now take on South Africa in the last Pool match on Thursday at 12:00 noon before taking on either Malawi and Zambia from Pool B in the semi-final on Friday.
Yesterday’s match left Tanzania the only team without a win so far in Pool A as Botswana collected their two points after defeating Namibia yesterday.
Two teams from this tournament will join South Africa and Uganda for the 2023 World Cup in Cape Town.
Gems assistant coach Tatenda Wisdom Shinya was delighted with the win and expressed optimism that the team will keep the fighting spirit ahead of their match against South Africa today.
“I’m so happy with the victory, credit to the girls who are doing the job. We are now looking forward to our next game against South Africa. We are going to give our all and we are going to give them a good run. We are actually playing to win and not only to participate because no one is invincible,” said Shinya.