Platinum Queens win league for the second time
Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira
ZVISHAVANE -Platinum Queens are officially the 2022 Premier Netball League champions after they finished the season with an unbeaten record. It is the second consecutive time that the Zvishavane based side have won the league title following their previous success in 2021.
Platinum Queens played 36 games and bagged 72 points. Coach Simba Mlambo applauded his charges and attributed their success to resilience, right attitude throughout the season. Mlambo said he is hoping to continue with the same spirit in the 2023 season.
“We had a good run during the league. We enjoyed ourselves. We played a total of 36 games and we were unbeaten throughout the season. It’s resilience, right attitude and right mentality that the girls had. We really had a good time,” he said.
“We are looking forward to make it three in a row. We will see how it goes but definitely we need to pull up our socks because everyone will be prepared for us, trying to pull us down. Everybody gave us a good run for our money especially when you are playing Black Rhinos, ZDF,Greenfuel, Harare City and Ngezi.These are the big teams in the league. It was so nice to end the season undefeated and we hope to have a better year,” said Mlambo.
Greenfuel Queens finished as first runners up after 36 rounds of matches and 66 points.
Coach Sibonginkosi Dube said her charges were on the right track and was impressed with how they have fared in the league this season.
Dube said her target was a top four finish.
The league’s secretary general Liberty Mhizha commended the level of competition exhibited by the teams this season.
He also hinted that plans are afoot to have an award ceremony.
“Our desire is to host the awards ceremony and plans are underway trying to get partners to fund the whole ceremony.Competition was high this season as compared to last season, you could witness great improvement on teams performances,” said Mhizha.
Four teams will be relegated to the less fashioned division one league while four teams will gain promotion into PNL.
“Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) runs Division 1 leagues in the 10 provinces and from there the top two teams from each province will play promotional tournament where top four teams from that tournament will gain promotion into the Premier league,” added Mhizha.
