Long 1,900km drive awaits netball teams
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday December 5, 2025 10:20
'We have everything under control, I am not worried since we are travelling with the medical team and we will be able to rest before the competition,' Kethamile said.
When the dust settles after the long trip, the women’s team has to contend with a tough group that includes The SPAR Proteas, ranked number five in the world, and Malawi who sit at number eight. The group also includes Tanzania.
Countries like South Africa, Malawi, and Uganda will use the Africa Netball Cup as part of preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Team Botswana returned home yesterday from a final training camp in South Africa, where they competed in the SPAR Championship tournament.
Dinaledi pulled a 42-35 win against Tshwane, lost 55-39 to Cape Town A and 55-54 to Mangaung. In the last match played on Wednesday morning, Dinaledi edged Dr KK 48-45.
The men’s team training camp was held in Jwaneng. Dinaledi coach, Martha Mosoahle-Samm told MmegiSport that the final training camp in South Africa was a great opportunity and most importantly a big growth for the team.
She added that they were grateful for the opportunity. “The only weakness was the court experience and the strengths are many, for example, the height and speed of the mid-court. The defensive line-ups and the work rate of the players (were another plus). The camp was a great boost in setting the competition and winning mindset,” she said.
Mosoahle-Samm noted the team could never be said to be ready until the real test begins. She said preparations could have been longer but she is grateful for Dinaledi’s consistent approach ahead of the Africa Netball Cup.
“We want to get there and compete to the best of our abilities, to assess other teams and to gain momentum ahead of the qualifiers next year,” Mosoahle-Samm said.
For her part, the men’s coach, Neo Dema said his squad is ready for the competition. South Africa are the men’s defending champions after winning the cup in 2023 when the competition was hosted at the UB Indoor Centre. The tournament starts on Monday and runs until December 14. Dinaledi
Women: Attack: Hildah Binang (Jwaneng, vice captain), Patience Kebatenne (BDF Cats), Boikanyo Selogetso (Jwaneng), and Chenesani Mbangiwa (BDF Cats) Mid court: Maungo Simone (BDF Cats), Keletso Gontho (BDF Cats), Kefilwe Ragono (BDF Cats), and Kolobetso Mbangiwa (BDF Cats)
Defence: Thatayaone Maswikiti (Police), Ntebogang Motlakaloso (Jwaneng), Maipelo Mosotho (BDF Cats), and Letang Mogotlhwane (Police)
Reserves: Florence Poane (BDF Cats), Teeddzani Keabile (Jwaneng), and Golebaone Leteane (Police)
Men: Defence: Merapelo Rataola (Prisons), Neelo Modumo (Prisons), John Lucas (BDF Cats), and Hendry Moalosi (Notwane)
Attack: Boniface Moeng (BDF Cats, captain), Oscar Mphaleng (Police), Karabo Kgomokhumo (Police) and Tshegofatso Monyama (Police)
Mid court: Oaitse Tshiping (Prisons), Thuto Bogatsu (Notwane), Bonang Moswate (BDF Cats), and Tshepang Monthe (Police, vice captain)
Reserves: Aabakwe Tlhage (Notwane) and Mompati Motlhanka (Police)