Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TWENTY-FIVE players will represent Bulawayo at the National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (NDAZ) Provincial Championships over the Easter holidays at Thornhill High School in Gweru.
Charles Widzisa, spokesperson for the Bulawayo Metropolitan Darts Association, said they were ready for the tournament as they had been training hard.
Bulawayo finished third in last year’s edition held at Kutama in Mashonaland West.
Midlands won last year’s event and will be hoping to use home advantage to defend their title. The Midlands’ trump cards are Timothy Chibwe and Alson Dale
Bulawayo’s hopes will be pinned on the quartet of captain Sylvester Mudekwa, Patrick Zimidzi, Ndabezinhle Ngwenya and Mgcini Nkala, who helped Railstars win the 2015 league title.
They also have the seasoned Archers’ trio of Albert Tawanda, Brian Ndlovu and Boniface Maningi, who have been consistent performers in the Bulawayo Darts League.
Mashonaland West’s hopes are pinned on former national team players David Nyemba and Kudzanayi Nyemba.
In the women’s category, Bulawayo’s veterans Silindile Sizalakho and Josephine Jones should expect stiff competition from former national team players Melody Gezana (Manicaland) and the Midlands trio of Tabeth Zhoya, Joice Mloyi and Grace Musiiwa.
Bulawayo squads
Men: Sylvester Mudekwa, Patrick Zimidzi, Ndabezinhle Ngwenya, Meli Tshuma, Mgcini Nkala (all Railstars), Bornface Maningi, Tawanda Albert, Wilfred Chikakatira, Brian Ndlovu (all Archers), Simba Negavi, T Dube, Josphat Chirwa, N Mthombeni, Machingami, Godfrey Muzonde (all School of Mines), Moses Ndlovu (Parkview Lions)
Women: Silindile Sizalakho (Parkview Lions), Josephine Jones (Bellevue), Betty Sibanda, N Sitsha (both Queens), Siphethekile Dlodlo (Railstars), S Sitsha (Highlanders), Bianca Nkala, Angeline Musharu (both ZRP Bulawayo)