Team BONA maintain unbeaten run
Thato Kala | Monday August 18, 2014 11:26
Some stellar performances on Saturday saw Team BONA preserve their unbeaten run in the second week of the League.
Team BONA, who, perhaps have the advantage of being in camp ahead of the 2015 Africa World Qualifiers next month, took on Spar North and dismissed them 70-16 before demolishing a hapless Future Stars 75-2 late on Saturday evening.
Team BONA raced to an 18-0 lead early in the first quarter with national team Goal Attacker Tumisang Bagidi sitting it out because of an injury sustained in the first match.
Team BONA made excellent build ups against static opponents who hardly made any forays upfront.
They made no mistake each time they got into the goal circle.
They doubled the score in the second quarter in what was a repeat of the first quarter except that their opponents managed to get their two goals in that quarter. Team BONA went to half time leading 37-2 after some solid all round play.
They continued dominating their opponents in the third quarter and immediately scored as play resumed through Hilda Binang who was introduced at Goal Striker. They passed the ball around with ease and their opponents did little to stop them.
The evergreen Gagotheko ‘Sphala’ Tshelametsi had an outstanding game, playing a pivotal role in Team BONA’s attack.
Future Stars showed flashes of brilliance during this quarter but struggled to convert their attacks into goals.
They had two clear chances early in the third quarter, but wasted them. But each time their opponents got an opportunity to go forward they converted their chances. It was 58-2 at the end of the third quarter as Binang continued to score goals for the senior team. They wrapped up a fine win with an exciting fourth quarter display.
The senior national team coaches will likely be happy about the performances ahead of next month’s qualifiers in Gaborone. Future Stars’ coach Regent Mosimanewapula hailed the Super Stars initiative, saying it would help national coaches broaden their selection base.
“This is a beautiful initiative, it makes us to meet and national coaches are able to identify some players. Some of the players do not get game time at club level, but they are getting that now.”
Although he was unhappy about the Team BONA game, he took solace in an early 47-37 win again Spar North. Their other encounter against Spar South also ended in a 37-26 loss.
Team BONA captain Portia Rasekhumba said they were benefiting immensely from the Super Stars League.
“These games are helping us gain more fitness, as well as show us where we are. They were training to us to try attacking and defensive movements. I am happy we are doing very well, we have applied what we have been training on these games,” Rasekhumba said.
With less than 365 days to go until Netball World Cup Sydney 2015, netball playing nations around the world are gearing up for their qualifying tournaments. Just sixteen teams will contest the Netball World Cup in August next year.
Botswana hosts Africa’s qualifiers from September 14 to 20 next month. Meanwhile, the 2014 Africa Youth Games’, MaLittle, has also been in outstanding form. They won their two weekend games 40-26 against Spar North before outplaying Spar South 37-26.
Results:
Spar North 26-40 MaLittle, Future Stars 40-37 Spar North, Spar South 37-26 Future Stars, Team BONA 70-16 Spar North, MaLittle 46-21 Spar South