Windhoek
Having lost their opening match 48-30 against a highly determined Malawian outfit, Namibia’s U/21 netball team again yesterday failed to make an impression at the ongoing Netball World Youth Cup qualifiers after succumbing to a 47-26 defeat against Uganda in Gaborone, Botswana.
After losing the opening match against Malawi on Sunday, it was always going to be tough for the Namibian girls heading into yesterday’s match against the equally motivated Ugandans and a win was the only expectable result.
But it was however not to be for Namibia as Uganda was just too strong, fast and smart for the Namibian girls to tame, which eventually saw Uganda emerging victorious through a 47-26 win.
Namibia were late last night expected to face Zimbabwe in their second match of the day, aiming to scrape a win from that match and hopefully improve their ailing campaign.
Namibia is vying for a perfect finish along with Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The qualifiers will determine which three African countries will join Botswana at next year’s Netball World Youth Cup, which will also be hosted in Gaborone.
In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Netball Namibia officials who are in Botswana with the team said team coach Antoinette Wentworth feels they played well, but the team plans to improve in their upcoming games.
“After the game we had a game analysis and pointed out the areas that need improvements, because some of our players had their first international exposure and there was some anxiety,” she said.
Wentworth added that the players are positive and ready to improve on their mistakes, adding that they will focus on each other’s strong points in their upcoming matches.
The Namibian U-21 players in Botswana are; Sharny Engelbrecht, Rieta Marie Brandt, Juzelri Garbers, Jessica Moolman, Jehumba Hambira, Atushe Shihepo, Vickey Uarije, Uehengisa Tjozongoro, Tjimbakavaza Tjepetekera, Himezeembi Tjejamba, Minerva Calvar Callozo and Ronell Benson.
-Additional info: Nampa