NETBALL TEAM BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN AFRICA

Swaziland...................................47
Tanzania.....................................44



GABORONE - A podium finish is within touching distance for the national netball team in the Africa Netball Championships following a hard fought 47-44 victory over Tanzania.

Following a 35-49 loss to Zimbabwe the previous day, the country’s outfit were looking to restore their pride at the expense of the winless East Africans in the third match of the competition at the Botswana Netball Association Courts in Gaborone yesterday.

It proved to be a nerve-wrecking clash for the hosts as they found themselves on the back foot for the better part of the encounter. Coach Thobile Nzama had made four changes in the starting team, introducing the likes of sharpshooter, Ncamisile Dlamini, Phumlile Myeni and the pair of Tengetile Sibandze and Bongiwe Magagula in defence.

Tanzania were in no compromising mood as the locals struggled to keep the back door shut. Swaziland trailed by 11-14 after the first period.
Nzama sacrificed Magagula in defence for Vumile Dlamini at the start of the second quarter but the visitors took a 26-23 lead to half time.
The technical bench made more changes, with a tactical switch which saw Hlengiwe Bhembe moving from centre to the wing.  Myeni had to play in the middle of the park while skipper Tengetile Dzimba was rested for Phindile Sithole. The third quarter ended with the teams tied at 35-all, resulting in an interesting deciding 15 minutes.

Tanzania eventually succumbed to the pressure even though they had a fair share of the lead in the last quarter. Swaziland, who were improving with each passing minute, showed resolve to put the game to bed, recording their second win of the continental tournament after beating hosts, Botswana by 44-42 on Sunday. They face 2015 World Cup-bound Zambia in the last match tomorrow.

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