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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE netball team coach Lloyd Makunde is impressed with the effort being put in by his players in preparation for the Pent Series and Africa Netball Championships to be held in Namibia early next month.

The Pent Series kicks off in Windhoek from November 1-5 and the Gems are presently in camp ahead of the competition.

“The mood in camp is amazing. The girls are excited and high in morale. They are a united bunch ahead of the competition which is a great positive.

“We have a number of debutants in the team, but they have fused in well into the squad and we expect to get good results in both competitions,” said Makunde.

The Gems last took part in regional tournaments in October 2019 in the Africa Netball Championships that was held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Their other opponents such as South Africa, Uganda and Malawi participated in a number of invitational tournaments between then and now.

“Physically, the girls are not what we want them to be, but we’re working tirelessly to bring them back into shape, l am certain they will be ready in time for the tournament.”

The Gems will face Malawi in their opening game before facing Uganda, Kenya, Namibia and Malawi.

During their last campaign at the Africa Netball Championships, the Gems finished fourth, despite arriving late and missing their opening match.

The Gems will be led by captain Felistus Kwangwa who recently extended her stay at English side Surrey Storm.

Squad
Felisitus Kwangwa (Surrey Storm) Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo, Lynette Tanhira, (Platinum Queens), Sharon Bwanali, Patricia Mauladi, Tafadzwa Matura, Beatrice Busu (all from ZDF), Queen Sigauke, Kudakwashe Machongwe (both from Correctional Queens), Paidamoyo Tinoza, Arsula Ndlovu (Glow Petroleum), Sinethemba Ncube, Nobukhosi Ndlovu (Goldreef), Tatenda Dziva (mixtures).
— @innocentskizoe