Namibia won their second match at the Nations Cup Netball Tournament currently underway in Singapore when they beat Sri Lanka 77-49 on Thursday.
The Namibians were in control of the match from the beginning and were leading 22-12 after the first quarter.
Namibia were already comfortably ahead at halftime (45-24) thanks to some consistent shooting from youngest team member Nelandre Mostert and the defence working well to block out the 209cm shooter and Sri Lankan Captain Tharjini Sivalignam who had only 51 attempts at goal (48 scored).
The Namibian defence did well to restrict the Sri Lankans who only managed to get 51 attempts at goal.
Coach Marcha Myburgh said, “It was a very good win for us. We tried for 80 points but unfortunately we didn’t get there. I am very happy for the team,” Myburg said.
“We came here to boost our rankings so we’re very happy. We’re looking forward to the off day tomorrow and then we take on Fiji after that,” she added.
“It’s going to be a hard game and a very physical game. We’re both bigger than the average teams so I think it’s going to be a very hard game, she continued.
“We played all our girls tonight and I think the rest day tomorrow will be very welcome.”
Mostert was pleased with her performance in her first Nations Cup. She said, “It was a really good match tonight. We worked hard and we really deserved the win."
“We haven’t played a lot of international games so I think we are doing well and can still improve. Saturday is going to be a very tough game. We don’t know what to expect but we keep our hopes up,” Mostert said.
“This is my first year playing overseas so this is my first international tournament. This game is the best I have had so far. The others I could have done better but I feel good about it.”
The win gives the Namibian team a good chance of qualifying for the third place play off on Sunday.
Namibia's starting seven against Sri Lanka:
Jatjinda Kambatuku: GA
Ehenfriede Uahongoro: GK
Yvonne Kotjipati: WD
Nelandre Mostert: GS
Delila Keha: C
Anna Kasper: WA
Ester Uuwanga: GD