Jewels lose by a point
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
Namibia’s chances of winning a second match in the Netball Africa Cup taking place at the Wanderers Sports Grounds in Windhoek was snatched away by Zimbabwe, who won the closely contested match 50-49.
The Namibians led the score chart from the first to the third quarter. In the first half the Desert Jewels led 18-13; they increased the tally by four points in the second half leading 29-25.
The third quarter didn’t change much, with Namibia leading 40-37. However, things took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter with Zimbabwe using their turnovers well and ending up winning the match by one point.
The head coach of Namibia, Julene Meyers, said she was happier with the shooting rotation. She said there was late tackling in the circles but that the players need to toughen up because the top-ranked terms will become aggressive if they see that they are trailing behind.
Meyers added that they will take one match at a time going forward and that the players will be ready to bounce back as they have great rhythm.
Namibia’s captain, Eve Hamaalwa, said they have been struggling with consistency.
“We are struggling with consistency in terms of the intensity of the matches. In the Pent Series Zimbabwe beat us by about 20 points; the girls narrowed that down to one goal and I’m very proud of them. We could have won the match,” she said.
At a time, Zimbabwe was down 10 goals. Their coach, Ledwin Dondo, said he had to keep encouraging the players. “Today we didn’t play well. Next match we need to make sure that all our turnovers are goals.”
Today’s fixtures will see Botswana taking on Zambia (9:00), Tanzania will face South Africa (11:00), Namibia will go up against Uganda (13:00), Malawi will play Zimbabwe (15:00), whereas Botswana will again end the day with a match against Kenya (17:00).
WINDHOEK
Namibia’s chances of winning a second match in the Netball Africa Cup taking place at the Wanderers Sports Grounds in Windhoek was snatched away by Zimbabwe, who won the closely contested match 50-49.
The Namibians led the score chart from the first to the third quarter. In the first half the Desert Jewels led 18-13; they increased the tally by four points in the second half leading 29-25.
The third quarter didn’t change much, with Namibia leading 40-37. However, things took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter with Zimbabwe using their turnovers well and ending up winning the match by one point.
The head coach of Namibia, Julene Meyers, said she was happier with the shooting rotation. She said there was late tackling in the circles but that the players need to toughen up because the top-ranked terms will become aggressive if they see that they are trailing behind.
Meyers added that they will take one match at a time going forward and that the players will be ready to bounce back as they have great rhythm.
Namibia’s captain, Eve Hamaalwa, said they have been struggling with consistency.
“We are struggling with consistency in terms of the intensity of the matches. In the Pent Series Zimbabwe beat us by about 20 points; the girls narrowed that down to one goal and I’m very proud of them. We could have won the match,” she said.
At a time, Zimbabwe was down 10 goals. Their coach, Ledwin Dondo, said he had to keep encouraging the players. “Today we didn’t play well. Next match we need to make sure that all our turnovers are goals.”
Today’s fixtures will see Botswana taking on Zambia (9:00), Tanzania will face South Africa (11:00), Namibia will go up against Uganda (13:00), Malawi will play Zimbabwe (15:00), whereas Botswana will again end the day with a match against Kenya (17:00).
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