By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe National Netball team, the Gems, have qualified for the 2019 World Cup to be held in Liverpool.

The ladies beat Kenya 58 – 42 in the final qualifying match at the African qualifiers on Friday.

Government congratulated the ladies in a statement issued by the Sports and Recreation Commission on Saturday morning.

“This is the good news that we have been waiting for and as a nation let’s celebrate the achievement of the girl-child who has raised our flag very high.

“Congratulations to the Zimbabwe Netball Association led by Mrs Letticia Chipandu for leading the Gems to this well deserved victory and qualifying us to the World Cup for the first time. This will indeed go down in history as a great Chronicle and major achievement.”

“It was your resilience, fortitude, tactical discipline and focus which had taken you this far. We would like to implore on the nation to lend a hand to the Girl Child as they now shift their focus to the world cup which is highly demanding with respect to preparations technically, materially and financially.”