The Zimbabwe national netball team opened their Africa Netball Championships on a low mote after they were defeated 45-36 by Namibia in Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday.
The tournament rolled into action on Tuesday and will stretch up to December 6 with a total of six women's teams and four men's teams taking part.
This year's edition however saw three netball powerhouses in the region- South Africa, Uganda and Malawi- missing out the tournament due to different reasons.
Going into yesterday's game, the Gems fielded Upenyu Myambo and Thandazile Ndlovu who have not been part of the squad before.
Ndlovu partnered with Nicole Muzanenhamo in the goal shooting area whilst Myambo was on wing-defence.
The team had a slow start, making a lot of unforced errors finishing the first quarter trailing 10-6.
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They however came back for the second quarter with some positive energy, managing to net a total of 14 goals whilst Namibia managed 10, heading into the half time break tied on 20 goals.
Ndlovu, who was making her debut appearance in the senior team managed to hold fort the goal shooting circle, making use of almost every opportunity that came her way.
However, the team failed to keep up the momentum from the third quarter which was characterized a catalogue of errors for Namibia to capitalise.
In the last quarter Namibia kept the Gems on their toes, to stretch their lead before the final whistle was blown with a nine goal difference.
They will hope to atone for their set back when they take on Kenya on Wednesday.