Botswana pepares for World Cup qualifiers

Mosah Mokganedi | Friday June 13, 2014 17:33

Botswana hosts the Africa zone qualifiers in September when nine countries will contest for a single slot in the World Cup billed for Sidney, Australia next year. South Africa and Malawi have automatically qualified for the World Cup by virtue of their rankings.

The two African giants are ranked fifth and sixth in the world respectively.

Besides hosts Botswana, other countries in the September qualifiers are Uganda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Africa has been allocated three spots in the World Cup.

Botswana first qualified for the event in 2007 and finished ninth out of 16 countries after upseting giants like Trinidad and Tobago.

Botswana was back in 2011 but failed to match the 2007 record and dropped to position 12. Botswana Netball  Association (BONA) spokesperson, Ntebo Maplanka has said they need to continue the legacy of qualifying for the event.

She said preparations for the qualifiers are going on well. She explained most of the logistics for the qualifiers will be taken care of by the continental netball body.

BONA is currently looking for sponsors for the event.

The following Botswanan players are currently in camp: Hilda Binang, Tebogo Radipotsane, Tshegofatso Tlhabuswe, Gagotheko Tshelametsi, Ntebogang Motlakaloso (BDF Cats), Amantle Gaofiwe, Kaone Mothowagae( Flying Doves), Chedza Matshaba, Kamogelo Lekoko, Thulaganyo Retshabile, Kganetso Kgotlaetsile, Tumisang Bagidi, Kempho Ngongorego (Notwane), Goitsemodi Dikinya, Gosego Tsele (Jungle Queens), Kelebogile Mangole, Khumo Marumonyane, Natasha Maribe, Kelebogile Mangole, Florah Keeditse, Oarabile Thapo (TASC), Francinah Eyman, Violet Onneile, Samantha Mbakile, Portia Rasekhumba (UB Crystals) and Kefilwe Bakwinya (Prisons).

The team is coached by Frances Granger.