The Zimbabwe national netball team, popularly known as the Gems, open their 2023 Netball World Cup account with a clash against giants Australia, in South Africa today, but they are unfazed by the huge task.
Coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki has primed his team to ignore reputations and be brave.
After today's encounter, they take on Fiji tomorrow and then Tonga on Sunday.
A total of 16 teams are up for this competition and they have been placed in groups of fours for the preliminary stage.
Before the tournament, the Gems managed to engage in a series of friendlies against England, Wales and Barbados in a bid to test their level of preparedness.
Going into today's match, Mutsauki highlighted that they will approach the game with a fighting spirit.
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“As we are going into this game against Australia, we will just take each game as it is. I think we must not give them too much respect because that's what makes us go into a game having a defeat mentality already. It’s very important to carry a positive mindset going into a game,” said Mutsauki.
“Looking at the performance the girls displayed during the friendlies, we noted quite a number of things we think we have worked on especially on our midfield.
“On our attack, we noted that there are some players we were leaving behind who can help a lot in producing good results. We are glad that we now have a wider option which is an advantage on our side.”
In their friendlies, the Gems lost 64-36 and 55-54 against England and Wales respectively whilst they also managed to outclass Barbados 67-34.
“So far the team is doing good. We don't have any injury to worry about and everyone is ready to go,” said Mutsauki.
They have set themselves a minimum target of finishing in the top four having been placed eighth at the last tournament held in England in 2019.