05 Aug 2025

Botswana Netball Association (BONA) has appointed South African national, Martha Mosoahle-Samm as the senior ladies’ national team head coach.

BONA Vice President - Technical Onkabetse Kesekang said in an interview that Mosoahle-Samm has vast experience in the game, with several achievements under her belt. He said Mosoahle-Samm has previously served as assistant coach of South Africa’s national netball team - the SPAR Proteas, and has coached South Africa’s FAST5 team, as well as helped the Free State Crinums win the Telkom Netball League in 2024.

Kesekang said netball in Botswana has not done well recently, hence they crossed the border to look for a qualified coach who would come and help the game to reclaim its rightful position. He said, most of the local coaches had only attained coaching Level 1 in 2017, whereas the requirement for the national team coaching position was Level 3.

“Looking at our performance and our rankings, we found it fit to look for an experienced coach who would also empower local coaches,” he said.

Furthermore, Kesekang said while in Botswana, the coach would also be expected to help in areas such as the development of BONA structures and that of coaches at club level. As part BONA’s line-up of activities, he said the association would be holding a Test Series in September in efforts to resuscitate netball in the country as well as to prepare for upcoming competitions which included a four nations competition billed for Singapore in November.

Kesekang said from there, both the women’s and men’s teams would be preparing for the Africa Netball Championship, which would be held in Malawi at the end of the year. Additionally, he said their target was to do well at the World Cup qualifiers due to be held in Kenya next year. The World Cup he said, would be held in Australia in 2027, hence the decision to appoint a new coach who would help Botswana scale heights at the competition.

Mosoahle-Samm will be assisted by local coaches, Neo Ntwayagae and Shathiso Mugibelo as assistant coaches one and two respectively. The men’s team on the one hand, will be coached by Neo Dema, while the national Under 19 and 21 teams will be coached by Kagisano Mawela with Kempho Gosalamang as his assistant. ENDS