POLOKWANE – The President of the Limpopo Netball Association, Christina Shikwambana said the Baobabs’ stellar performance in the Telkom Netball League (TNL) has changed people’s perception about the team and athletes from the province.
The Baobabs beat the Mpumalanga Sunbirds 38-35 on June 4 to reach the semi-finals of the league where they will face off against the KwaZulu Natal Kingdom Queens at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on June 11.
Shikwambana told the Polokwane Observer that it is time for the team to prove that they are a force in netball and strong competitors in the league.
“In the past, teams would look down on us and undermine us. They would play their reserves against us but now that we are winning matches every week, teams have had to change their game plan when playing against us,” she said.
Shikwambana said that wins against big teams has boosted the Baobabs’ confidence and has motivated them to continue performing well.
“We have a strong team that can bring the TNL title home. We finished the 2021 league in the semi-finals with a new team but the girls have gelled well with one another and they know each others’ strengths and weaknesses,” she said.
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Shikwambana added that the team’s young coach has international netball experience which is an advantage. “The league is in our hands,” she said.
Transport is being finalised for for supporters who want to travel to Pretoria and rally behind the team.
“This is an important match and the Baobabs need the province’s support. If all goes well, a bus is expected to depart from the Garden Court Hotel in Polokwane on Saturday morning (June 11) and return after the match.”
Further logistics will be communicated to the media on Friday.
