17 Nov 2021

Botswana has bowed out of the Africa Netball Cup 2021 after registering two wins only.

Out of the eight games that the senior national netball team played in Namibia, it beat Zimbabwe and Tanzania 47-43 and 44-40 respectively.

Botswana lost 41-50 to Namibia and 23-67 to Malawi. Zambia hammered Botswana 62-42 and against Kenya, Botswana went down 45-46.

Uganda won 81-30 while South Africa continued to inflict pain on Botswana by scoring 85 goals against 24.

Botswana Netball Association (BONA) spokesperson, Mokeresete Mokeresete, said in an interview that other nations were better prepared than Botswana, which was inactive for two years.

He said the teams’ mental strength and fitness level were better compared to Botswana.

Furthermore, he said the prolonged lack of activity contributed to the poor performance.

Mokeresete said it was difficult to produce good results when players were inactive.

“We did not have international friendly games, but I am glad that as the tournament proceeded, Botswana players gained strength and won the two last games,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile, said the Africa championships were a chastening experience for Botswana.

“To say we have regressed will be an understatement.  The truth is that Botswana has transformed into the whipping girls of African netball. We have fallen down so bad over the past few years,” he said.

Koothopile said something needed to be done because the girls showed great talent at the 2017 Netball Youth World Cup tournament.

He further noted that beating Jamaica during the youth world cup was manifestation that Botswana had skilful players.

BONA had wanted to gauge the team’s strength at the Africa Netball Championships to ready for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers expected to start next year. ENDS