BOTSWANA 37 – 60 SOUTH AFRICA
The final match of Day 1 saw hosts South Africa, who are ranked 5th in the World Netball World Rankings, take on Botswana who are ranked 28th.
The match started frantically with the ball going back and forth for 90 seconds before South Africa finally netted the first goal. South Africa then took an early 4 – 1 lead, however the Botswana circle defence started to get rewards for the immense pressure that they were applying and they went into a two-goal lead. South Africa clawed one back just before the quarter-time whistle with the score Botswana 12 – 11 South Africa.
The match was going goal for goal at the start of the second quarter with both attacks making good decisions and being patient in their build-up play with the scores level halfway through the quarter. South Africa managed to gain a small lead with the half-time score Botswana 23 – 26 South Africa.
Botswana made five changes for the third quarter, however this didn’t stop South Africa’s momentum as they scored the first three goals of the quarter. The South Africa fans were cheering their side on and the players were reacting as they took control of the match, with the whole team working together as one unit. With 15 minues to go South Africa had extended their lead with the score Botswana 32 – 48 South Africa.
Both sides struggled to find their flow at the start of the final quarter with several unforced errors as only four goals were scored in the first five minutes. The South Africa circle defence were forcing the Botswana shooters to take long-range shots which they looked uncomfortable with as they extended their lead to 20 midway through the quarter. A solid second half from the SPAR Proteas gave them their first win of the tournament as the match finished Botswana 37 – 60 South Africa.
International fans can rewatch the match for free now on NetballPass, here.
ZAMBIA 46 – 30 KENYA
The second match of Day 1 was the first match of Pool B with Zambia, ranked 17th in the World Netball World Rankings, take on Kenya who are ranked 40th.
The match had a tight start with only two goals scored in the first 150 minutes as both sides were patient in their play. The Zambia defence then began to turnover ball as their pressure was forcing errors in the Kenya attack. After the first 15 minutes Zambia led 11 – 6.
Zambia had the momentum going into the second quarter as they pushed their lead to 10 goals in the first five minutes of the quarter as Kenya struggled to break through the Zambia defence. Kenya fought back well though and actually drew the quarter with half-time the score was Zambia 21 – 16 Kenya.
Kenya began to grow in confidence at the start of the third quarter with a deficit of just four goals after six minutes. However, Zambia’s defence then began to halt the Kenya attack yet again and at the third quarter break, Zambia led 35 – 23.
Kenya changed their side yet again with five changes in the final quarter, however Zambia looked clinical throughout the court and they secured their first win of the tournament with the score Zambia 46 – 30 Kenya.
International fans can rewatch the match for free now on NetballPass, here.
NAMIBIA 54 – 40 TANZANIA
The first match of the Netball World Cup Qualifiers – Africa saw Namibia, ranked 23rd in the World Netball World Rankings, take on Tanzania who are ranked 41st.
Namibia started the match with a high intensity to their play and they scored the first four goals of the match. The shooters for Namibia looked solid in the circle and were converting from all areas. Tanzania only managed to score two goals in the first seven minutes, however, they finished the quarter strong with the quarter-time score Namibia 14 – 9 Tanzania.
Tanzania scored the first goal of the second quarter to reduce the deficit to just four goals. Namibia threatened to break away several times in the quarter, however Tanzania kept fighting back, however at half-time Namibia led by nine goals with the score.
The second half continued to follow a similar pattern to the first half with Tanzania fighting hard to stay in the match. They managed to reduce Namibia’s lead to six goals on a number of occasions, however, Namibia kept their composure to lead by nine goals with 15 minutes left with the score Namibia 42 – 33 Tanzania.
Namibia found their full flow in the last quarter as they extended their lead further with the final score Namibia 54 – 40 Tanzania. Giving Namibia their first win in Pool A.
International fans can rewatch the match for free now on NetballPass, here.
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