South Africa wins, Zambia down Botswana, Uganda stun Swazi’: Africa Netball Championship in Malawi
Second day of the African Netball Championship on Tuesday was another great day for netball and the race for the title continues to heat up and intensify.
South Africa rested a bulk of their key players in their victory against Namibia in Blantyre in fear of Malawi Queens that were ‘spying’ on their style of play as the two teams are favoured to meet in the finals.
The two teams are regarded as the strongest in the tournament, and are expected to cruise through the pool matches and the semi-finals and meet in the final.
Malawi Queens also did the same in their opener when they left most of their key players on the bench.
In Tuesday’s encounter, Proteas, who demolished Namibia 75-34 baskets started the game on a low note, as Namibia through their towering shooter Jat Jinta were leading in their first 10 minutes before the tempo of the game changed.
South Africa, who resorted into a fast game were now ruling the proceedings of the game in all the quarters as they led 17-8, 29-19,55-26 before killing their opponents in the last quarter by 75-34.
In her remarks, South African coach Elize Kotze confirmed that she rested most of her key players as a tactic.
“We were trying to experiment combinations but all in all l was impressed with the squad which l used and l have no doubt we will proceed all the way to the finals,” she said.
However, South African goal shooter Tsekame Mbewe was a darling to many spectators because of her surname ‘Mbewe’.
Many Malawians joked that Tsekame must be a Malawian and they demanded for her return back home to feature for the Queens.
Zambia down Botswana
In the second match of the day, Zambia, who enjoyed massive support from Malawians in the name of ‘Aneba’ taught Botswana a lesson with a 55-41 margin.
The Zambians, who entered onto the field of play as underdogs proved everyone wrong as they were on class of their own especially through their goal shooter Lucy Jere, who gave Botswana goalkeeper tough time to contain her.
Zambia, who will face Malawi in their second match on Wednesday, led in all the quarters with 10-14, 19-28,and 32-38 before finishing them in the last quarter by 55-41 baskets.
No fatigue for Uganda
In the last match of the day, despite traveling by road for five days, Uganda was on rampage as they clobbered Swaziland 68-38.
In not a lively match, Uganda showed seriousness from the word go as they notched in 15 baskets against 10 to Swaziland.
The ‘She-Cranes’ continued to terrorize the King Swati ladies in the second quarter with a 33-17 margin as well as in the third quarter having scored 49 baskets to 30.
In the last quarter, Uganda nailed Swaziland coffin with 68 nails to 38.
Meanwhile, Malawi Queens is leading in Pool 1 on goal difference seconded by Zambia as South Africa are the leaders in Pool 2 followed by Uganda.
