The 2024 Africa Netball Cup held at Swakopmund was a real eye-opener for Desert Camelthorn head coach Teri Tuaire.
The debutants recorded their first-ever international victory when they beat Lesotho 45-32, signalling that the Namibian men’s team has the potential to be on par with players on the rest of the continent if successfully moulded.
Tuaire was providing an assessment of the Camelthorn’s overall performance on Desert FM this week.
He said his charges juggled the excitement and nerves of being part of the continental showpiece netball competition relatively well.
“The Africa Netball Cup is a very huge stage, where most of these other countries have running men’s netball leagues and players who have trained together in preparation for the cup,” Tuaire said.
“My guys just had a couple weeks to sort of produce a miracle. I think my team gave a very good performance in their maiden international appearance.”
Tuaire believes the team has raised awareness among locals about the sport.
“We have now opened the eyes of our local people. I think going forward, we will hopefully have more interest as we begin the netball male league next year.”
Despite losing four other matches in the tournament and finishing bottom of the log, that solitary win was a moment to be cherished and to build on, Tuaire said.
The team received positive feedback, and the general outlook on men’s netball within the country is promising.
“The victory against Lesotho, being underdogs and literally gaining a victory, I think that was one of the highlights of the entire competition,” Tuaire said.
“Especially since we were nowhere to be seen prior to the competition, but with that one victory we have put ourselves on the continental netball map.”
Tuaire said they are in conversation with the national netball leadership to establish a male netball league in the regions.
Most of the players who featured at the Africa Netball Cup also play basketball or volleyball in their respective countries. Namibia is looking to copy that blueprint.
Such a move would greatly bolster the national team, said Tuaire.
“That should set a precedent for selecting a better team, where we are going to find a whole lot of talent from the regions,” he said.
“I am quite excited about that, it is one of those things that we have been fighting for for a long time. Having to see it formed is a great feeling and a step in the right direction.
“The performance of the team has indeed surpassed the expectations of the organising committee and the country as well,” Tuaire added.
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