Story by Anashe Murombedzi
ZIMBABWE’S top netball clubs have stepped up preparations for the upcoming Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations Club Championships, with four Premier Netball League sides set to represent the country on the regional stage next month.
Reigning champions ZDF Queens will be joined by Black Rhinos, Harare City and Chapungu after finishing in the top four of the Premier Netball League Zimbabwe last season.
Final dates and the host nation are yet to be confirmed, although the tournament is expected to be staged in Eswatini. Zimbabwean teams will compete against clubs from Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Premier Netball League Chairperson Rita Mkandla said preparations were progressing well ahead of the regional assignments.
“We are happy that the PNL is progressing well, and we have our selected teams that are taking part as they prepare for the regional games.
“We have two tournaments that are coming up, which are the COSANA and the Find the Ball events and our girls are gearing up. We have also witnessed a step forward in the league as we have Makate High Flyers who imported foreign players from Kenya and Zambia, which has increased competition in the game,” she said.
The teams are using the ongoing league fixtures to maintain competitiveness ahead of the tournament.
In the previous edition, ZDF Queens and Makate High Flyers represented Zimbabwe, with ZDF Queens finishing runners-up. The Queens will be aiming to go one better this year, while the other three teams look to make their mark.
Following COSANA, the same quartet will also feature at the Find the Ball Invitational Tournament in Botswana in July.
Players will also be targeting national team selection, with the Zimbabwe senior netball team preparing for the 2026 Africa Netball World Cup qualifiers scheduled for Kenya in September.
Meanwhile, Week Two of the Premier Netball League produced dominant results across venues. Makate High Flyers thumped Imbizo 67-20 in Beitbridge, while Aspindale crushed Ligi Dolphins 65-16. Hosts Beitbridge beat Zhombe 66-19.
In Harare, Tongogara hammered ZIMSTAT 92-20, Harare District defeated Mutare City 63-41, while Harare City beat Black Rhinos 56-46.
In Mutoko, Chapungu overwhelmed BBS College 133-12, while defending champions ZDF Queens defeated P Stars 52-28.
