22 Sep 2014

Team Botswana have missed the opportunity to compete at the netball world cup in Sydney next year after being thrashed by Uganda and Zambia who will join South Africa and Malawi to represent Africa at the spectacle.

Nevertheless all is not lost for Botswana because the team will also jet to Sydney to participate in a development tournament which runs concurrently with the world cup of which the fifth best countries from all continents will graze.

Botswana finished third in the just ended world cup qualifiers in Gaborone whereas Uganda finished at the summit with Zambia in second position.

Botswana on Friday, September 19 wrapped up the tournament by humiliating Swaziland 55-27. 

The local girls completely outclassed their opponents who wasted balls numerously around the shooting circle where defenders Ntebogang Motlakaloso and Florah Keeditse were always on the right spot to snatch the balls from them.

Portia Rasekhumba and Tebogo Radipotsane were also superb at the goal post as they did not disappoint centre court fielders Gagotheko Tshelametsi and Kelebogile Mangole who worked hard in distributing balls around the court.

Botswana surely outclassed Swaziland as the team blended well dominating in possession throughout the game.

The last quarter saw shooters Rasekhumba and Tumisang Bagidi shine on court as they looped in every ball that came their way leaving the spectators on their feet as they screamed “We want 50.” And surely they acceded to their demand and scored 55 goals.

In a post-match interview, head coach Seipei Gaelesiwe said there is need to reinforce on players mental strength and physical fitness which she said the players lacked.

“We never engage physical trainers in our team which is why our team fails to match the standard of other teams.”

She further stated that the girls need to believe in themselves and must show the fighting spirit and focus.

Gaelesiwe said they are happy that the team will be competing in the development tournament however she said they would have loved to compete against stronger teams in the world cup.

Nevertheless the coach thanked Batswana who thronged BONA courts to rally behind the team adding that Batswana are starting to love and enjoy netball, all thanks to the African Youth Games. ENDS