Desert Jewels ready for Zambia

WINDHOEK, 12 AUG  – It is all systems go for Netball Namibia (NN)’s senior national team the ‘Desert Jewels’ at the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Zambia says Manuel ‘Mansie’ Tjivera, the team’s head coach.
Speaking to Nampa on Saturday at the Hosea Kutako International Airport before the team’s departure, Tjivera said he has called in two Cape Town-based players who he believes will add the much-needed depth to the squad.
“The team is really excited, the energy as well as the hype can be felt and the girls are really ready to compete because they know what’s in it for them.
“The two days that we spent here after our road trip was changed to flying made the team gel well with the two players based in South Africa also joining the team,” he said, referring to initial travel plans in which they were expected to travel by road last week Wednesday.
“Our goal still remains the same as we want to finish in the top three and we have a full squad which means we will give it our all while in Zambia,” Tjivera said.
Meanwhile, team captain Vijandamuje Kamberipa told this agency that their goal of competing in Zambia is to qualify for the World Cup.
“Flying to Zambia is a big booster for the team as we didn’t know how long the road trip was going to take but we are now more excited and readier to continue fighting for that World Cup qualification spot,” said Kamberipa.
Jaumbuaije Zauana and Vendjihonga Katjaimo are the two players based in South Africa who were called up to the team.
The Desert Jewels, will play their opening match at the African Women’s Netball Championship qualifying tournament, which also acts as a World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Tuesday at 14h00 local time.
The six-day championship will be hosted by the Netball Association of Zambia in Lusaka from 13 to 18 August 2018, with seven countries – host Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi – battling it out for ranking points as well as a place at next year’s World Cup.
NAMPA