25 May 2014

Team Botswana- badminton has failed to win a medal in the team event category at the ongoing African Youth Games.

Team Botswana came last in its group with three points after losing to all its opponents.

The team started their bad run on Thursday, May 22 when Mauritius ran out 4-1 winners.

They went on to meet Nigeria on Friday MY 23 in a crucial game which could have brought them back into the competition, but despite enjoying home ground advantage, Botswana made mistakes and Nigeria won all five games.

Olekatse Tumisang did however put on a good show against Mohammed Mustapha of Nigeria.

After he marginally lost the first set, Tumisang came back strongly to win the second one but Mustapha sealed victory in the final set.

Much was expected from Tessa Kabelo in the women’s singles, but her services were not top notch during the entire game and she ended up losing 2-0.

The already eliminated Botswana continued to falter in the last game against Zambia as they lost 3-2.

During an interview, Team Botswana’s coach, Emmanuel Kebadirejang said the team performance was not bad but he believed they could have done better.

“The opponents capitalised on our mistakes and that was our main disadvantage” said Kebadirejang.

He said the mental preparation let the team down and also indicated that they were engaging a psychologist to help them with the mental preparation.

“These games are won by those who want it the most and those who don’t make mistakes,” he said. He said they will motivate the players to do better in the singles event.

Nigeria won Group B and went on to face Egypt and they swiftly won 3-0 to book a ticket to the final. In the second semi-final, there was a tough encounter between Mauritius and South Africa.

The South Africans came from behind to beat Mauritius 3- 2.

The final saw teams which finished top of their groups meet in a classic final to determine the best team.

Though the Nigerians managed to win the mixed doubles game the South Africans came back to win the men’s singles game. Nigeria took the lead once again by winning the women’s singles.

South Africa was caught chasing the Nigerians again and fought hard to win the men’s doubles.

It was 2 all and forced to go for the deciding game which was won by the Nigerians in the women’s doubles.

However, team Botswana will be looking forward to redeem their poor start in the singles event which will end on Tuesday, May 27.