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Ellina Mhlanga, Senior Sports Reporter 

TEAM Zimbabwe deputy chef de mission (technical) for the African Games Tendai Tagara believes their athletes stand a good chance of podium performances in the various sport codes.

The continental showpiece will be officially opened on Friday in Accra, Ghana and will run until March 23. 

The Games were originally scheduled for August, 2023 before they were postponed to this year. 

Zimbabwe are fielding athletes in 10 sport codes – athletics, chess, cycling, cricket, judo, karate, rugby, swimming, tennis and triathlon. 

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, Tagara highlighted some of the sport codes earmarked for podium performance. 

“If we look at tennis, part of the team is the Davis Cup team, which means it’s a strong team in terms of our ranking in Africa. It reflects that a podium finish is possible. We have good swimmers, we are expecting podium performance from swimming.

“Rugby, Africa ranking also shows that we can be on the podium. Cricket, both men and women, those are podium performances. So if we look at cricket and rugby, we must get at least a gold medal in this edition of the Games,” said Tagara. 

Athletes are travelling according to their competition schedule. Rugby and athletics will be the last batch to leave for Ghana on March 14 as their events are due to take place towards the end of the Games. 

Part of Team Zimbabwe including the Lady Chevrons and chess team left the country for Ghana yesterday morning. “So the athletes will be leaving according to their competition schedule to Ghana. If we look at it technically, they don’t have to acclimatise but they have to recover enough for competition in that environment.

“The last batch will leave on the 14th which is athletics and rugby because their events are coming almost at the end of the Games. So as soon as they get there, they would be ready for their competitions.

“On international athletes that are based overseas, like swimmers, athletics, tennis athletes, they are all flying directly from their bases to Ghana and back from Ghana,” Tagara said.

Tennis Zimbabwe general manager Kupakwashe Mukurumbira said basing on history from previous editions, they are hopeful.

In 2011, Takanyi Garanganga, won gold in Mozambique. In 2015, tennis contributed three bronze medals for Team Zimbabwe. 

“I think it means a lot. It means a lot in that this particular competition is an Olympic qualifier. So we are expecting our players to give it their best , so that they can get a shot to become part of the Olympics.

“I think tennis has been a consistent good performer when we look at the past editions of the African Games. So our anticipation is, our team is going to do well, both the boys and the girls,” said Mukurumbira. 

Garanganga will be leading the tennis team as coach at the upcoming Games.

Cycling captain Skye Davidson is feeling confident after an impressive season last year. 

“I am feeling pretty good to be honest. I had a really good racing season last year both in the UK and Europe, raced the World Championships in August and then soon after that I ended the season early to start training early for this year because I knew the Games would be early in March.

“So I started training in September, had a few setbacks, a lot of sickness, and financial struggle always gives setbacks. But I have been training hard. I think I am in the best form that I have ever been, which is always a good feeling,” Davidson said. 

Davidson is joined by Stacey Hyslop and Rodrick Shumba for this assignment. Swimmer Olivia Accorsi is looking forward to the Games. She is expected to compete in 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke and 200m backstroke. 

“This is what I have worked for my whole life in swimming, to be able to make this team and represent my country at All Africa Games.

“My expectations aren’t very high because I understand that the competition is going to be tough but I am hoping to get personal best in Ghana,” said Accorsi. 

The Games are also serving as a qualifier for some of the sport codes, that include athletics, cycling, tennis, triathlon, swimming and judo. At the 2019 edition in Morocco, Zimbabwe got four medals – one silver and three bronze from triathlon, chess and swimming.  They competed in 12 sport codes.