08 Nov 2021

The netball national team is in Windhoek, Namibia ready to compete in the Africa Netball Championship, which begins Nov 9 and end November 16. 

Players who have made it to the final squad of 18 include defenders in Ntebogang Motlakaloso (captain), Letang Mogotlhwane, Fatima Dino, Rijeterera Marenga and Keitumetse Lobin.
Hilda Binang, Boikanyo Selogetso, Cheludu David and Kempho Ngongorego will be responsible for keeping scores, while Maungo Simone, Barati Phesodi, Gosego Tsele, Margaret Banda and Hilda Seemo will be manning the mid-court.

Endowed Tumisang Bagidi is not a part of the team due to work commitment. On the other hand, Francinah Eyman is also out due to injury. Maipelo Mosotho, who was also expected to be a part of the 18 missed the chance because she will be attending BDF training. Other players who will not be part of the team are Pearl Maribe and Kgomotso Matibini. The team is under the tutelage of Coach Sithulile Mlotshwa and assistant Neo Ntwaagae.

Countries competing in the championship include Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi and Namibia.
In an interview, Botswana Netball Association (BONA) secretary, Ntebo Maplanka appreciated efforts by the association’s coaching and management departments to assemble a formidable team that would represent the country at the championship, after failing to make it at the Pent Series, which took place in Windhoek last month.

The association had earlier assembled 28 players for trials from which the final 18 were picked.
Maplanka said the fact that they managed to bring the players together and send them to Windhoek after two years of inactivity was a commendable effort because it showed a lot of work was put in.

“But all in all we are happy for the opportunity as it will lead to bigger and better things in preparation for 2023 Netball World Cup, which will be held in Capetown, South Africa from July 28 to August 6,” she said.
She added that preparations for the 2023 Netball World Cup qualifiers would begin in earnest, hence they would use the Africa Netball Championships to gauge their preparedness as well as how they would approach the qualifiers. End