Six Dinaletsana promoted to senior team
Naledi Lemogang | Wednesday September 6, 2017 14:54
The senior team will compete in the inaugural Pent Series netball tournament in Namibia, which starts today and ends on Sunday. Namibia (the hosts), Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe are participating at the tournament.
Cheludo David, Fatima Dino, Boikanyo Selogetso, Pearl Maribe, Maipelo Mosotho and Kgomotso Mathibini are the Dinaletsana players promoted to the senior team. They join Olebogeng Kuriwa, Natasha Maribe, Kefilwe Bakwinya, Samantha Mbakile, Sebaga Mothabane and Kelemogile Mangole. The team left the country for Namibia yesterday.
The six players were instrumental in helping the Under-21 team finish 10th during the world cup tournament which Botswana hosted in July. David, in particular, was instrumental, scoring crucial goals and took the My Spar Botswana player of the match after the first game against Malaysia.
Maribe won the hearts of many with her scoring and passing techniques while Selogetso excelled in the goal attacking and goal scoring positions. Dino and Mosotho formed a solid defence at the back. The young players are expected to quickly gel into the senior set up, particularly with the experience gained from the world cup.
Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego said they have introduced Under-21 players in the senior team with the aim to prepare them for bigger stages in their netball careers. She said they expect the players to grab the opportunity with both hands and contribute positively to the national side. “The national team is made up of Under-21 and senior players,” Lebotse-Sebego said.
“Therefore, we expect a very good combination and results that would improve Botswana’s netball rankings.” She said they hope that the Namibia tournament would assist the team move from its ranking. The team is ranked number 20 in the world.
“There is no other national team assignment after this tournament. However, BONA would continue to engage the national team as we head towards 2018 and 2019 Netball World Cup qualifying games,” she said. Botswana play their first game today against Zimbabwe, before taking on Swaziland tomorrow. On Saturday, the national side plays Zambia and wrap up proceedings against Namibia on Sunday.