MASERU — Lesotho’s national netball team is set to leave Maseru for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, tomorrow.
The tournament runs from May 8-11.
Lesotho netball team public relations officer, Maseopa Sepiriti, told the Lesotho Times she was confident that the 11-member team will acquit itself well at the tournament after a month-long intensive training.
She said the skills the team acquired during the training camp should put them in good stead to do well at the four-day tournament.
“We are very hopeful that we will do well in this year’s competition to qualify for the Commonwealth Games next year,” Sepiriti said.
She added morale was very high in the camp and the coaching department had chosen the best players from a wide pool in the local netball league.
“They are going to Tanzania to compete and fight for the nation.
“We have never made it past the group stages before because of problems that included inadequate preparations due to lack of funds,” Sepiriti said.
“But this time around we had ample time to prepare for the tournament and our preparations were buoyed by a number of local companies that came on board to sponsor our camps.”
The squad is made up of players from the 14 registered member teams of the Lesotho netball association league.
Sepiriti said the league had improved significantly and was now more competitive than in previous years.
“We now have teams coming from as far as Mokhotlong playing in our netball league.
“This shows improvement compared to some years ago when we had only teams based in Maseru,” she said.
After the Tanzania tournament Lesotho’s focus will shift to the upcoming regional Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations games set for Swaziland in July.
“I believe our preparations covered all we had to do ahead of the Tanzania tournament and we do not have any complaints with regards to our training,” Sepiriti said.
Professor Chepeha is coaching the team.
Lesotho netball team squad:
Maseabata Makhetha, Mamojaki Tjabane, Nthabiseng Phokojoe, Lisebo Tlali, Masebochane Seetane, Mamotsabi Lekhabunyane, Melesenyeho Matsepe, Khahliso Matsinyane, Rethabile Ntobo, Mamotšoane Seturumane, Kalee Molepe
