BOINEELO RANKWAILA
The on going Netball World Youth Cup Gaborone 2017 Qualifiers that kicked off this Sunday gave the host nation an upper hand. The young lads went head to head with Lesotho in a game that they easily won by 66-9. The girls had a very impressive attack team and stable defense where they managed to immobilize the visitors’ attack.
Team captain Katlego Dipatelo told Gazette Sport that they worked hard to get where they are, and took the Lesotho game as a practice match. “Not that I’m undermining other teams but we are going to have a tough challenge when we face off Malawi, Zimbabwe, Uganda and South Africa because their game plan its very aggressive,” she said.
She expressed her disappointment from supporters as she thought they should have came in large numbers but nonetheless she is happy with those who rallied behind them. Team coach Kagisano Mawela told this publication that she was impressed with how the girls played looking at the fact that some were making their international debuts.
When asked if they have pressure due to the fact that they are the host nation she said, “we are not pressurized at all, I trust my girls and they will deliver, and also the support from the crowed is amazing.” She concluded by indicating that they are going to experience tough games when they lock horns with Malawi and Uganda.