Botswana faces Argentina as world cup starts
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday June 14, 2019 12:46
The men’s team is currently ranked number 13. Botswana finished second, behind South Africa, in the Africa qualifiers.
The team’s coach, Pako Maforaga is on a mission and believes that his 13th-ranked charges are ready to take on the giant.
“I have told my players to stay calm and use every game as a yardstick with which they should test their ability. It is summer here, hot and humid, but my hope is that the players have adjusted,” he said.
When asked which department he expects to win the game, Maforaga said he was impressed with the improvement in the hitting. However, the coach said they have good fielding. Regarding Argentina, Maforaga said the team plays most major tournaments so there are videos available for assessment. He said Botswana is a closed book to all the countries that they are going to face at the World Championship.
Team captain, Jury Manaka said it is always a good thing to play against the best teams in the world.
“It is not only about playing but also learning a lot from our opponents. It is not everyday that we play against New Zealand or Japan, so this is an experience for us that we should utilise in growing softball back home,” the excited Manaka said.
In the second match, Botswana plays Philippines tomorrow followed by a clash against Cuba, a country ranked number 24. Botswana will then play defending champions, New Zealand on Monday. The following day, the local lads play Mexico before a date against hosts, Czech Republic. Maforaga’s boys face off against third-placed Japan on Thursday. The men’s softball pinnacle tournament will feature 72 games across 11 days of competition, before crowning the best softball team in the world.
After the opening round, the top four teams of each group will advance to the playoffs to battle for the title of world champion in an eight-team, single-elimination bracket.