ZIMBABWE national netball team coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki is pleased with the way they have started their latest training camp as they prepare for the World Cup.
The team commenced their World Cup preparation camp a week ago at Prince Edward school in the capital with a total of 19 players in attendance.
With less than four months left to the global showcase, Mutsauki remains confident that they can pull through and reach their set target.
“We have started well, though we didn't start with the expected 21 players. The good thing, however, is that from those who we have, all departments are represented and it really makes the whole process easier,” said Mutsauki.
“Right now, every department needs attention since we haven't been in highly competitive games for a while. After the camp, we will see if we are going to have another camp again so that we can progress with the team build up till we reach the competition. We are, however, going to trim down the players after this camp and then add others so that we come up with the best squad.”
Zimbabwe was drawn together with Australia, Tonga and Fiji and among these teams, Mutsauki said Tonga is the only team that they have limited knowledge about.
“The team we wanted to study their type of play most is Tonga because we don't have much knowledge about them. Yes, it has got height, but we are sure that we can compete against them and we have been working on how to counter their height.”
The coach is pressing for friendly matches with other countries so that they can have a fair assessment of their level of preparedness.
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“This camp serves as a roadmap to see what is needed moving forward, and by April I think we will be ready to engage in friendlies. If we continue to train without friendlies, we might think that we are ready, yet there will be still some areas that need more concentration,” he said.
Gems vice captain, Claris Kwaramba said the team is working hard, especially on the fitness aspect.
