13 Dec 2022

Senior netball national team, Dinaledi, recently made history by winning the 2022 Singapore Nations Cup.

Dinaledi qualified for the final after going undefeated in five games against high ranking teams.

In their first game, they beat Fiji, which is ranked 15 in the world 60-43, their next game was against Invitational Singapore A side and won 50-31.

 Botswana went to defeat Singapore 71-21.

Malaysia and Ireland did not escape the wrath of the marauding Dinaledi as they were beaten 67-38 and 66-31 respectively.

In the final game, Botswana once again met the Fiji Pearls and they demonstrated that their first win was not a fluke as they trounced them 65-37.

Since its appearance at the competition in 2008, Botswana has never finished on position one, hence some pundits crediting coach Jenny Van Dyk for the victory.

Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile, who has been following the team’s progress said the  success did not come as no surprise.

“It was long coming. Ever since Jenny van Dyk took over, signs have been there that we can get back to our lofty heights. The first of these signs were there when we competed at the Africa Netball World Cup qualifiers in Pretoria in August this year,” he said.

Koothopile said during the qualifiers, the first game against South Africa showed the team had the talent.

“Even though we lost the game, we gave them a run for their money. The first two quarters we went toe to toe with them. We won the first quarter and they won the second. Remember that at the time, we had just resumed the league after more than three seasons and the girls lacked match fitness,“ he said.

He said the team then gave Zimbabwe a fright in the second game, which Botswana lost 41-49, adding that those were the signs and winning the Singapore Nations Cup 14 years after their first appearance in the tournament was proof of determination.

“What we cannot deny is that we always had talent. Most of the girls who we see in the team were part of the #ReaBaTsaa team, which played in the junior netball team.All they needed was someone to help them reach another level. Jenny has done this. She has been able to help our netballers realise their capabilities,” he said.

Koothopile said the coach had helped the team to believe in themselves and now played with energy and cohesion.

In Singapore, he said Fattimah Dino and Letang Mogotlhwane in the defensive third provided security and a platform for the team.

He said they defended well and made many interceptions between them, thus helping the team to have more turnovers.

In the centre court, he said Maungo Simone and Gosego Tsele, assisted by Barati Phesudi and Keletso Gontho worked hard. In the attacking third, they had the trident of Margaret Banda, Hildah Binang and Boikanyo Selogetso, all of whom were exceptional.

“Selogetso in particular seems like she was the missing link when we competed at the Africa Netball World Cup qualifiers. She is a complete player. She is a fighter and is a winner. This was there for all to see during the Singapore games,” he said.

Overall, he said the team showed it could give Batswana the glory they were craving for, adding this was a youthful team.

“The only concern for now is whether it will get the backing it needs to succeed. Whether we can keep Jenny for a little longer. BONA needs support to hold on to Jenny. She is here as part of South Africa Netball legacy programme but we now need to ensure we retain her.

As much as there are coaches understudying her, ideally one would wish her involvement could be extended to helping our junior national team coaches and club coaches as a way to develop coaches at all levels of our game,” he said.

Koothopile, however, advised that would require an investment in her being here, adding that it would be ideal that the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture and all stakeholders, including the private sector to work with BONA and see if there was any possibility of keeping Jenny. ENDs