After below-par performances at the start of the tournament, Zimbabwe finally showed up at the Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town when they thoroughly beat Barbados 75-48 to claim the 13th spot.
Zimbabwe got off to a flyer, stretching to an early three-point lead with the centre-pass advantage. Goal attack Nicole Muzanenamo, who has also played centre in Cape Town, was in great form, receiving quality ball from the Zimbabwe mid-court and landing all her attempts. She also continued producing impressive split landings to put her in the best position possible to score.
Seconds before the hooter went to signal the end of the first quarter, Barbados goal attack Kadeen Corbin scored to bring Barbados to just one goal behind Zimbabwe, 14-15.
With the same seven on for both teams again, Barbados goal shooter Latonia Blackman scored first at the start of the second quarter to make matters even. The rest of the quarter the teams continued to trade blows. There were several intercepts on both sides as the ball moved up and down the court.
Play around the goal circles of the Bajan Gems and the African Gems were tight with bodies in close contact, resulting in a few cautions by the umpires. Barbados centre Teresa Howell also received a warning, with the next step being taken off court for two minutes.
In the final minutes before halftime, Zimbabwe goal shooter Nalani Makunde landed four consecutive goals to give her team a 30-28 lead.
Barbados continued with the same seven that started the match while for Zimbabwe, Progress Mayo replaced Claris Kwaramba on centre. First change for Barbados halfway through the third quarter with Kadeen Corbin moving to goalkeeper, Latonia Blackman from goal shooter to goal attack and Damia Walrand coming on as goal shooter.
The African team quickly built a substantial seven-point lead, then a 10-pointer, with the ball being fed at regular intervals into the circle and Makunde and Muzanenamo not missing the mark. While Zimbabwe produced one of their best 15-minute periods of play in the tournament, the third quarter was disastrous for Barbados. The Bajan Gems only scored seven goals, compared to their opponents’ 22.
With the scoreboard 52-35 in Zimbabwe’s favour at the start of the fourth quarter, the African team were well on their way to recording their third victory in Cape Town.
The fitness levels of the Gems carried them throughout the match as only two changes were made throughout the 60 minutes of play. In the last 15 minutes, Zimbabwe defenders Felistus Kwangwa and Elizabeth Mushore gave the Barbados shooters very little room to move and effectively closed the gap for scoring opportunities.
At the other end of the court, the goals were flowing with the Gems leading by 24 points at one stage. When the final whistle blew, the winning margin was 27 goals.
Most Valuable Player: Nalani Makunde (Zimbabwe)
Goal Shooting Percentage: 94.9 per cent / 85.7 per cent
Penalty Count (Contact and Obstruction): 43 / 39
Quarter scores: 15-14 / 30-28 / 52-35 / 75-48
