To make it to stage 2, advance to the playoffs and finish among the top nations of world netball. These are the lofty ambitions of the four African teams participating in the Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town (28 July to 6 August).
As host nation, South Africa’s intentions of seriously competing for the coveted champions trophy have been clear from the moment it was announced that Africa would host the Netball World Cup for the first time.
It’s been a long wait since claiming the silver medal at the 1995 tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand and Protea captain Bongi Msomi is fully aware of the expectations of South Africans.
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— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) July 25, 2023
African hopes lie with Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe at the #NWC2023 ??
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Speaking at the official South African flag handover ceremony in Cape Town on Wednesday, she said:
“I have realised that we are embarking on a beautiful journey that a lot of girls and boys out there will probably never have and we have this chance to not only step out and represent ourselves, but actually the country at large.
“This is not about us only but something way bigger than us.”
Msomi added the team fully believes they are good enough to go all the way.
“I know that the excitement for me here is the unknown. We’re sitting here and no one knows what’s going to happen. To be part of that, and to be part of that at home [in South Africa] is just exciting so I’m looking forward to game one because that’s going to set the tone and get the hype going.”
The SPAR Proteas were given a timely reminder of the millions they will be representing as they step onto court for their first game of the Netball World Cup 2023 this Friday in Cape Town. ????????
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) July 26, 2023
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SHE CRANES TARGET TOP FIVE
Uganda media manager Olivia Nakate said the homework has been done and the players are ready for the tough competition over the next ten days.
“The girls have had enough time to train and are well prepared to deliver their best. The goal is to progress from the group stage and definitely make the top five.”
The She Cranes claimed fifth spot at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, demoting South Africa to sixth position. This is their fourth World Cup with their first being the 1979 edition in Trinidad and Tobago where they finished 13th.
According to Nakate, this time around it will be a different story.
“When you look at the squad, we have the same players that put up a great show last year at the Commonwealth Games plus a few new faces. The absence of Peace Proscovia and Stella Oyella [through injury] has been handled.”
Led by the first Zimbabwe player to compete in the UK’s Netball Super League, the Gems target a top-six finish. At the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, captain Felisitus Kwangwa put in a string of stellar performances and she and the rest of the team are now ready to repeat it in Cape Town, said assistant coach Tatenda Shinya.
“The team is ready and can’t wait for Friday for the first game against Australia. The friendly matches have been good preparation for the tournament.”
Malawi is eager to end their topsy-turvy participation at the World Cup with fifth being their highest finish at six previous attempts.
On the eve of the team’s departure to Cape Town, Queens captain Jane Chimaliro told the media they are going to raise the Malawian flag high and make the country proud.
‘’With the training that we have had we are geared for battle and we know that we are going to do better. Malawians should expect good results, we are going to do well.”