Maya hoping for change
Coach pleased with team's effort
Namibia's Debmarine Desert Jewels coach Mary Waya says she hopes that she will be able to change the team's fortunes going forward after a disappointing World Cup qualifiers in Pretoria.
The Debmarine Desert Jewels have entered the World Cup qualifiers with the hope of making it to the tournament in South Africa next year.
A combination of mistakes and game time, however, proved to be the downfall of the team at the tournament, which saw Malawi and Zimbabwe book their places in the World Cup.
The team only had four weeks of training under the new coach, Mary Waya, who had hoped for better results.
It was, however, not the case as Namibia finished seventh overall in a tournament South Africa won comfortably, while Zimbabwe and Malawi qualified for next year’s global showpiece.
"We did not want to finish in seventh place, but the games were tough and the opponents saw our weaknesses, which made it impossible to finish on top.
"We have, however, seen our weaknesses and what we need to rectify going forward.
"I have just been with them for four weeks, and they have really given it their all.
"I am hoping that we will be able to change more for the next four years, and the team will not be the same again," Waya said.
Good start
Namibia started their first match with a 54-40 win over Tanzania before losing 66-38 to South Africa in their second match.
The Desert Jewels lost 45-41 to Zimbabwe in their third match, which made their journey to qualify harder.
The Namibians then went on to lose 45-43 to Botswana.
Their last match ended in a 47-46 triumph over Tanzania, which saw them secure seventh place overall.
A combination of mistakes and game time, however, proved to be the downfall of the team at the tournament, which saw Malawi and Zimbabwe book their places in the World Cup.
The team only had four weeks of training under the new coach, Mary Waya, who had hoped for better results.
It was, however, not the case as Namibia finished seventh overall in a tournament South Africa won comfortably, while Zimbabwe and Malawi qualified for next year’s global showpiece.
"We did not want to finish in seventh place, but the games were tough and the opponents saw our weaknesses, which made it impossible to finish on top.
"We have, however, seen our weaknesses and what we need to rectify going forward.
"I have just been with them for four weeks, and they have really given it their all.
"I am hoping that we will be able to change more for the next four years, and the team will not be the same again," Waya said.
Good start
Namibia started their first match with a 54-40 win over Tanzania before losing 66-38 to South Africa in their second match.
The Desert Jewels lost 45-41 to Zimbabwe in their third match, which made their journey to qualify harder.
The Namibians then went on to lose 45-43 to Botswana.
Their last match ended in a 47-46 triumph over Tanzania, which saw them secure seventh place overall.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article