Netball confrontation in the offing

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday February 8, 2008 00:00

In pool A, TASC is expected to brush aside Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Boteti and Jwaneng to come tops while in pool B losing finalists BDF cats should be too good for Boasa, Notwane and Phikwe Prisons. The top two teams from each pool will proceed to the quarterfinals. The tournament was deferred last year because of limited time as most players were with the national team for long periods to prepare for the world championships in New Zealand. BDF Cats have always dominated all local tournaments until in 2005 when fellow army side TASC upstaged them. It is a fact that running away with the championship is not going to be easy for both sides. Cats tried in the last two seasons to claim back the title but to no avail. They will be looking to redeem their dented pride while the Francistown-based TASC are out to defend the crown.

Tactically, both teams are the same. What separates them is discipline and following the coach's instructions. The hard-working Kelebogile Mangole, Motlhokwa Motsumi and Violet Moabi are expected to lead the TASC challenge. Veteran Kgololelesego Diraditsile, mobile centre girl Sphala Tshelametsi and the towering Tebogo Radipotsane are the main players for coach Setshidi Mmopi's BDF Cats.

Bobby Ntereke of TASC said they are prepared for all the games and they will not underrate any opponent. He said their focus at the moment is to finish first in their pool to make it to the next level. He said netball is a game of upsets and they will treat every team with respect. Ntereke admitted that re-claiming the title is not going to be easy. He added that the team that will commit less mistakes will run away with the title. TASC has not been training with their coach Joseph Webb on a regular basis but Ntere believes this will not affect their performance.

Cats' assistant captain, Mapeni Ntwaagae said they are going to fight hard to snatch the title though she admitted it is not going to be easy. She regretted that they have not been able to train thoroughly because of the rains. 'We will do whatever it takes to emerge victorious at the end of the tournament,' she said. Winners will walk away with P5,200 while runner-ups will be rewarded with P3,700. Motor Centre has sponsored the event with P52, 800.

Meanwhile, the Debswana tournament which was abandoned last year because of the rains will be held on the weekend of February 23.