By Zim Sport Live Writer
The Zimbabwe Netball Association has unveiled the Gems squad for their upcoming international engagements, beginning with a two-match test series against Wales before heading to Scotland for the expanded 2025 Celtic Cup.
The Gems, currently ranked 13th in the world, will open their tour with back-to-back tests against the Welsh Feathers on November 22 and 23. The fixtures form part of their preparations for the revamped Celtic Cup, which will run from November 26 to 30 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Zimbabwe made their debut in the inaugural edition of the Celtic Cup in 2024, a tournament won by Wales, with Scotland finishing as runners-up and Northern Ireland completing the four-team field.
This year’s competition has grown to six teams following the inclusion of world number seven Uganda’s She Cranes and 18th-ranked Namibia’s Desert Jewels.
Head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki will be looking to build on last year’s experience as the Gems seek to strengthen their standing among the world’s top netball nations.
Following their UK tour, Zimbabwe will continue their demanding international calendar with a trip to Malawi for the Africa Netball Cup, set for December 8–14.
The continental tournament will feature a strong field including hosts Malawi (8th), South Africa (5th), Uganda (7th), Namibia (15th), Zambia (16th), Botswana (20th), Kenya (23rd) and several unranked sides.
The back-to-back tournaments will offer the Gems valuable competitive exposure as they push to climb the global rankings.