Netball teams gear up for Africa Cup
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday August 19, 2025 10:26
The Botswana Netball Association (BONA) had failed to send the teams to the competition that was held in Namibia due to financial challenges. As a result, the previous executive committee came under fire from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC). The netball body was accused of having failed to include the Africa Netball Cup in its annual plan, because funding was already approved according to the approved plans of associations.
However, BONA refuted the claims by BNSC stating that they had included Africa Netball Cup in the plan. With the new executive committee in office, they seem to have put their ducks in a row regarding the competition.
Over the weekend, the team assembled in Jwaneng for its first training camp under the guidance of new coaches, Martha Mosoahle- Samm (women) and Neo Dema (men).
Speaking to Sport Monitor, BONA president, Mpopi Moatlhodi said Africa Cup is important. The competition will be hosted by Malawi in December.
She highlighted they have to improve rankings, and continuously test their performance against other countries in the continent in order to improve chances of competing at the next World Cup.
“We are hopeful that we will be successful at the competition looking at how the preparations are going. The fact that we failed to attend the last edition is the more reason why we must not fail this time around,” Moatlhodi said.
“Additionally, there is a penalty fee for failing to attend after confirmation. So, BONA has already confirmed attendance. If we fail to attend, we are liable to pay £5, 000 to World Netball,” she added.
Moatlhodi also said there were selection trails in Gaborone on August 2 and players who were selected were the ones called for the camp.
The team: Women: Patience Kebatenne (BDF Cats), Kolobetso Mbangiwa (BDF Cats), Chenesani Mbangiwa (BDF Cats), Florance Poane (BDF Cats), Kefilwe Ragono (BDF Cats), Obakeng Ramodibana (BDF Cats), Maungo Simone (BDF Cats), Keletso Gontho (BDF Cats), Hildah Binang (Jwaneng), Cheludo David (Jwaneng), Kutlo Natasha Maribe (Jwaneng), Ntebogang Motlakaloso (Jwaneng), Barati Phesudi (Jwaneng), Boikanyo Selogetso (Jwaneng), Shirly Tsetse (Maun Heroes), Thatayaone Maswikiti (Notwane), Fatima Dino (Police), Golebaone Leteane (Police), Teedzani Keabile (Tasc), and Margaret Banda (Tasc). Men: Tefo Kelailwe (BDF Cats), Alfred Lephojane (BDF Cats), John Lucas (Cats), Dantene Moswate (Cats), Thuto Bogatsu (Notwane), Henry Moalosi (Notwane), Simon Timela (Notwane), Karabo Gamodimo (Police), Tuelo Kgomokhumo (Police), Phenyo Boniface Moeng (Police), Tshepang Monthe (Police), Tshegofatso Monyama (Police), Mompati Motlhanka (Police), Oscar Mphaleng (Police), Mmoloki Kanyama (Prisons) Merapelo (Prisons) and Monty Masogo (Tafic).