Botswana Senior Netball team coach, Sithulile Mlotshwa is confident of a strong showing at the M1 Nations Cup 2019, which will be held from 20 to 26 October in Singapore.
Currently ranked 26th in the world, the local ladies will play against Cook Islands (12), Ireland (25), Namibia (33), Papua New Guinea (20) and the host nation Singapore (ranked 28th).
The current squad boasts a number of the players who impressed at the 2017 Youth World Cup (WC) and have since made the step-up to senior level.
The likes of Fattimah Dino, Cheludo David, Maipelo Mosotho, Boikanyo Selogetso and Kgomotso Matibibini will be banking on the experience of two years ago as they go in search of Asian glory.
Speaking to Voice Sport through the week, Mlotshwa said she was looking forward to seeing her troops in action against higher-placed opposition.
“Not taking anything away from lowly ranked teams in this tournament, however, our aim is to do well against these highly ranked nations. Then we finish off with the lowly ranked teams so that we seal our spot for a medal game,” she explained, adding preparations for the tournament have gone well.
“The training has been positive for the past five weeks whilst we were in camp. We played a few friendly matches in efforts to learn where we are still lacking behind but there are great signs of hope.
“There is talent in Botswana, and we need to look out for this potential and unearth it by continuously playing high ranked teams as a way of developing the player’s mental strength from a tender age!”
For her part, team captain, Francinah Eyman revealed morale in camp was high and the team are itching to get started.
“I am impressed with the way the girls have shown great team spirit and support to one another. We have all had our fair share of challenges during this period but the morale has been really amazing.”
Eyman noted that most of the squad have participated in this tournament before and so will not be overawed by the occasion.
“This tourney is not new to most of us. We know what to expect and are looking forward to competing. We want to represent the country with pride and bring the medal home.”
The team was expected to leave for Singapore this Thursday (October 17), with their first game against the host nation Singapore on Monday.
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