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Zimbabwe’s goal shooter Mercy Mukwati receives a pass during a match against Namibia yesterday

Lillian Sibanda Sports Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe netball team booked its place in the finals of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games after pummelling Namibia 69-17 at White City Stadium yesterday. The team will take on South Africa in the final today and it is a match not to miss. The hosts, who came into the match a wounded lion after losing 40-32 to South Africa on Tuesday, scored 17 goals in the first quarter while their opponents only managed a single goal. In the second quarter they came back fired up and netted 22 goals while Namibia put in a paltry four goals.

The teams went to the break at 35-5.

Goal shooter Sharon Bwanali was at her usual best together with her counterpart, goal attacker Mercy Mukwadi. They had excellent co-ordination and displayed magnificent team work.

Zimbabwe head coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki could not hide his excitement.

“This is the first time Zimbabwe is in the finals and the girls did their best. We had set a target before the game to reach 70 goals and we only missed a single goal but I’m happy about their performance and I’m now looking ahead to the final game against South Africa,” he said.

Namibian coach Michelle Brookes, who had before the game anticipated a walk in the park against the home team, was quick to tip Zimbabwe for gold.

“Zimbabwe must take gold. They played a very pulsating game and they deserve to win the final. It’s the first time they’ve beaten us and they worked very hard,” she said.

Results (yesterday)

South Africa 59-19 Namibia, Swaziland 18-62 Botswana, Zimbabwe 69-17 Namibia

Fixtures (today)

Bronze: Namibia vs Botswana, Siver and Gold: Zimbabwe vs South Africa

Table

P W D L GF GA Pts

S Africa 4 4 0 0 223 91 8

Zimbabwe 4 3 0 1 216 94 6

Botswana 4 2 0 2 154 144 4

Namibia 4 1 0 3 101 195 2

Swaziland 4 0 0 4 70 244 0