Botswana settles for bronze in netball

Thato Kala | Monday June 2, 2014 16:52

 

Uganda, who had surprisingly lost to Kenya to lock Botswana out the final, made light work of their East African neighbours, beating them 40-24. In the battle for the bronze, Botswana under the tutelage of Abednico Chetelo and led by captain Tara Matija did not really play well.

However, Botswana overcame a Namibian side that appeared to give them too much respect after losing to them previously. Botswana’s game revolved around Boikanyo Selogetso, who scored goals and created several chances.

Namibia tried to fight back with their goal shooter Lizelle Esterhuizen leading the charge.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Chetelo brought in Notwane’s rising star Kagisho Mothuba and pulled out Aobakwe Mosekiwa. He also shifted Matija from goal shooter and thrust Selogetso to the plate. Namibia played a better fourth quarter as Botswana wasted the few chances they got.

Chetelo said they would have wished to be in the final, but believes the team can be moulded for the future.

“Maybe this is what we were meant to settle for, we cannot blame anyone.

Maybe we did not handle situations right. But one would have wished to go to the top, we wanted to make a difference but unfortunately the route we took did not take us there,” Chetelo told Monitor Sport.

Namibian coach, Natasha Thakur said Botswana’s attackers were too fast for her makeshift defence.

“I think Namibia played a better game; we played a much better game than we did in the previous encounter with Botswana. Botswana’s attack was too fast for my defenders,” she said.

Botswana’s vice-captain, Sarona Hans said they were happy to have captured a medal in the games and attributed it to teamwork.

“I am feeling great, it would have been bad if we had settled for anything less. I am glad we have settled for bronze, at least we have brought the nation something,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe finished fifth after beating Swaziland 74-24.