Africa-Press – Namibia. CAPTAIN Nanguloshi Kamutushi is one of three players in the current Desert Jewels team to have been born when Namibia last appeared at the Netball World Cup.
Selma Bitler (33) and Anna Kasper (31) complete the trio looking to help Namibia reach a second finals appearance through the Africa Netball World Cup qualifiers in Pretoria, South Africa, from 21 to 27 August.
“The last time Namibia played in the world cup was in 1991. It’s so many years ago, so we want that history to repeat itself. We have capable players, most of them are seniors and well experienced. So, I think we’re going to have a very good competition,” Kamutushi (36) said in an interview with The Namibian Sport on Wednesday.
Namibia wants to be on the roster for the first ever Netball World Cup on African soil. The hosting of the global spectacle on the continent presents a new dawn for netball in Africa.
“Our goal is to qualify and that’s what we are going to fight for. There are no in-betweens, we’re looking at that goal and that’s what we’re aiming for,” Kamutushi said.
“We’ve been training very hard and it’s going quite well. The new coach [Mara Waya] is actually building on the skills and experience we have, it’s not like we’re going through a new system.
We’re excited and looking forward to the competition. The goal is one, we want to qualify for the world cup.”
Malawian netball legend Waya is looking to engineer Namibia’s route to the 2023 world cup finals in Cape Town. She is optimistic about the Jewels’ chances after having familiarised herself with the team over the past few weeks.
“The training camp is going well. I’ve been here for three weeks. When I came, we started with the speed, after that we did our combos and coordination,” Waya said.
The Desert Jewels, whose place at the qualifiers is made possible by Debmarine Namibia, leave for South Africa next week Friday, ahead of their opening Group A clash against eastern neighbours Botswana two days later.
Tanzania, Zimbabwe and host South Africa are the other nations in the pool.
“The team is in shape, it’s just one or two things we need to continue training on so that we can come to 90% of everything we want to do,” said Waya.
As hosts, South Africa’s spot at the world cup is guaranteed. So too that of Uganda’s Cranes, by virtue of their high global ranking.
That leaves group B nations Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Eswatini and their four rivals from Group A to battle for the coveted two remaining slots.
“The chances are 100% for me because the other teams, we’re prepared for. Each and every day we’re doing a game plan for each and every country,” she said.
“So, the game plan is there and, in our group, we’re hoping to be number one.”
Part of Waya’s optimism for the upcoming qualifiers is drawn from her good rapport with her new charges.
Waya said the players and other officials have made her transition into the structure seamless. She can also count on the support of tested assistant in former Zimbabwe head coach Lloyd Makunde, who led his home nation to their maiden world cup appearance back in 2019.
“The adaptation has been good. I saw the team in Malawi when they came for the Tri-Series, so I knew some of the players, I talked to them,” Waya said.
“When I came here, I already had a friendship with the players and the coaching panel. And the technical panel, we know each other from way back which makes it easy to work together.”
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