Botswana finish fourth in world championship qualifiers

Mosah Mokganedi | Monday March 3, 2014 16:13

 

Cameroon topped the six-nation qualifiers trailed by Egypt and Algeria to join Tunisia as Africa’s World Championships campaigners in Italy in September. Botswana recorded two wins - against Nigeria and DRC in the qualifiers.

As expected, Botswana faltered against volleyball powerhouses, Cameroon, Algeria and Egypt. Botswana was campaigning in the last stage of the qualifiers for the first time. Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) vice president, George Keotsene, said the progress of the team to the last stage of the qualifiers is a sign that the team is on the right track. He said it was unfortunate that some of the star players like Lizzy Gasekgonwe and Karabo Molefa could not play in the qualifiers ecause of injuries. Keotsene said they wanted to finish in the top three but unfortunately, this did not happen.

He said they learned vital lessons in the qualifiers like the need for more training and international friendlies.

 “We also need to play practice matches with teams that are superior because if you play only weaker opponents, you tend to think you are good,” he said.

Botswana started their journey to Algeria at sub-zonal and zonal levels where they finished tops. The team is expected back home today.