ZIMBABWE'S Gems kicked off their 2025 Africa Netball Cup campaign on a high note, delivering a convincing 48-36 victory over regional rivals Namibia on the first day of the competition yesterday.
The match, held at the Griffin Sayenda Sports Club in Lilongwe, Malawi, saw the Gems dominate the court and secure a vital win in Pool B.
After finishing third in the previous year's tournament, the Gems are determined to improve on their performance and have their sights set on possibly lifting the trophy this year.
Their confident opening performance against the Namibian Desert Jewels, a team they recently overcame at the Celtic Cup, has set a positive tone for the week ahead.
The team came into the tournament buoyed by a slight but significant upward shift in the World Rankings, moving from 13th to 12th following their participation in the Celtic Cup a little over a week ago.
Though they finished fourth out of six teams in Scotland, the competitive exposure against top-ranked sides was invaluable.
The standout player of the match was the incredible Kelly Muyambo, whose stellar performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
The Gems find themselves in a challenging Pool B alongside netball giants Uganda and Kenya, in addition to Namibia. Pool A comprises South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, and Tanzania.
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Following their victory over Namibia, the Gems face a formidable test in their second fixture today: a showdown against Uganda at 4pm. The She Cranes are currently branded sixth on the international rankings and finished the recent Celtic Cup unbeaten.
This match will be a true measure of the Gems' title aspirations.
The top two teams from each pool will progress to the highly anticipated semifinals of the competition.
The men’s team is also competing in the Africa Cup, aiming to build on their third-place finish from last year. They have been placed in Pool A, alongside Botswana and Uganda, and have a baptism of fire as they play their first match against the defending champions, South Africa at noon.
The victories from both teams will be crucial as they attempt to make a deep run in the tournament and bring glory back to Zimbabwe.
