ZIMBABWE will be aiming to become the first country on the continent to lift the prestigious Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) Presidents Cup which tees off at Nkana Golf Club on Tuesday.
DANIEL NHAKANISO IN KITWE, ZAMBIA
The new continental amateur team golf tournament, which is the brainchild of current AGC boss Joe Malanji, who is deputised by former Zimbabwe Golf Association Obed Dube, will see 11 African countries battling out for honours until Saturday.
Zimbabwe is being represented by a strong four-member team led by team captain Tonderai Masunga. The other members are Thembelani Vundla, Visitor Mapwanya and national team debutant Robson Chinhoi.
Roger Baylis, the veteran teaching professional, is the national team coach.
The team arrived in Kitwe on Friday morning after a gruelling road journey that included a five-hour delay at the Chirundu border post.
However, despite the taxing trip the four-member team has had enough time to recover and familiarise with the Nkana Golf Club course before the tournament begins.
After a light chipping and putting session on Friday, the team went a gear up in their preparations yesterday with the players taking part in their first practice round at the hosting course.
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Masunga, who captains the national team for the first time after enjoying a successful season on the local circuit, said he was confident his charges would make the nation proud.
“We are all happy to be representing our country. The guys are motivated and they all want to do well in this tournament. We arrived here early and this has given us enough time to prepare and hopefully come Tuesday we will play well,” Masunga said.
With neighbours South Africa not taking part in the inaugural edition of the AGC Presidents Cup, Zimbabwe — who have in the past always come second to their southern neighbours — has a chance of bagging cup.
Other countries expected to take part in the tournament are Namibia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Tunisia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Botswana and the hosts.
