The Senior Netball team, the Desert Jewels, consisting of 14 local and South Africa-based players, are gearing up to compete in the African Netball Championships, also known as the Africa Netball Cup, in Botswana.

The team is currently undergoing training at the Trustco United Courts in Olympia in preparation for the tournament.

The African Netball Championships, held every two years, brings together teams from across the continent to vie for the top prize.

The Desert Jewels are determined to make their mark and aim for victory in the tournament.

This is the national team's first international tournament of the year, as countries affiliated with World Netball previously focused on the World Cup hosted by South Africa a few months ago.

Despite some logistical adjustments to the schedule, the full squad will travel to Botswana on the revised date of the 26th to compete in the championship starting on the 28th of this month.

Assistant coach Dorette Badenhorst expressed confidence in the team's readiness, acknowledging that some players may lack international experience, but emphasizing that their preparations have gone well.

She hopes that the players will gain valuable experience throughout the tournament and demonstrate mental toughness during the intense schedule of 9 games in 9 days.

Cornelia Mupenda and Monica Gomases, two players who joined the squad from South Africa, shared their thoughts on the upcoming championship.

They expressed their dedication to hard work and a positive mindset, aiming to deliver a strong performance on the court and strive for victory.

The team believes in their ability to work together effectively and expects a good outcome from each game.

Participating in the African Championship provides the Desert Jewels with an opportunity to improve their ranking in Africa.

In the previous Africa Netball Cup held in 2021, the team finished in fourth position overall when they hosted the tournament.