02 Jul 2015

Botswana’s dream to finish in top three of the just-ended Africa Netball Championships was on Wednesday (July 1) shattered after suffering a 41-52 loss against Zambia.

Team Botswana was hoping to redeem their pride in their last game against Zambia but the latter seemed too hot to handle humiliating Botswana in their own grounds.

Surprisingly, Botswana girls were in control of the game in the opening quarter as they tightly marked the visitors blocking them to reach the circle.

Goal shooter, Hilda Binang and goal attacker, Tumisang Bagidi missed the goal mouth a few instances, but thanks to defenders Ntebogang Motlakaloso and Letang Mogotlhwane who came to the party and marked the Zambian shooters to deny them goals.

Botswana closed the first quarter with a 13 - 9 lead and looked poised to trounce the Zambians. Nevertheless, Zambia came in to the second quarter composed than ever shaking up the game thus pushing the hosts to concede mistakes.

Botswana wasted balls in the middle court at the hands of the versatile and aggressive opponents who flaunted their elasticity and speed throughout the game.

Zambia goal attacker, Diana Banda was a marvel to watch as she manoeuvered around the court driving her team to the goal posts.

The pint sized Banda jelled well with her co-shooter Elizabeth Bwalya looping in the goals with so much ease as they stole the second quarter 26-23.

Botswana continued to struggle in the third quarter at the hands of the opponents who were quick to dash at the ball creating chances and distributing them well around the court which resulted in Botswana girls chasing after them.

Botswana lacked composure and communication giving away easy balls in the last third of the court, Zambia opening a 36-29 gap.

It was just a bad day for the locals as they could not redeem themselves in the closing quarter as Zambia handed them a painful loss at the sight of Batswana supporters who thronged BONA courts.

This loss pushed Botswana to the fourth spot after losing the opening match 42-44 against Swaziland, drew 47-47 with Swaziland and one a sole game 43-37 against Tanzania.
Team Zimbabwe was crowned champions pocketing gold medals, Zambia in position two and Swaziland in bronze spot.

In an interview, team Botswana head coach, Seipei Gaelesiwe stated that her team failed to execute thirty per cent of what they practised.

She said the girls lacked mental strength and were filled with anxiety as they tended to lose focus when they were on the lead.

Seipei attributed the dismal performance of the team to the fact that it was a new team that had blended new players from the African Youth Games together with old and experienced players who are meant to lead the youngsters.

“The problem with my team is that the old players don’t trust the young players and vice versa so there is need to instill confidence in the team.”

Furthermore, the coach highlighted that the team did not go through extensive training due to limited training camps, school and work commitments.

However, Seipei said she was delightful that young players were able to play during the games which gave them the much needed exposure for the 2017 World Netball Youth Championships to be hosted in Botswana. Ends