SA NETBALLERS TO MEET UGANDA
Eastern Cape Aloes captain Nosiphiwo Goda says South Africa can go all the way if they manage to overcome Uganda in the Netball World Cup on Wednesday in Liverpool.
On Sunday the Proteas surprised the world with their 5552 win over Jamaica and on Monday they kept their winning streak with an easy 66-38 victory over Scotland.
Should the Proteas beat Uganda, they will secure a semifinal spot and Goda believes that is possible.
Goda, from NU11 in Mdantsane, played for the national netball team from 2008 until 2012. She is also a former Springbok women's Sevens player. Goda told the Daily Dispatch that SA was represented by the most talented and physical team she’s seen by far.
“This netball side has been a team that is constantly giving us results and I feel confident that they are going to bring a medal home,” said Goda.
Goda, a firefighter by profession, said beating Jamaica was a great start to establishing SA as a powerhouse in international netball.
“It is evidence that we are in it to win and that is going to better our world rankings. Looking at other top teams such as New Zealand, Australia and England, they are also doing well, but that’s not a concern right now.
“I’m sure the country is proud because this team has been going up against the best in the world, but they still managed to produce good results,” she said.
Goda, who last made an appearance in the Brutal Fruit League for the Aloes, said if SA were to overcome Uganda, they would secure themselves a better ranking as they were currently ranked fifth in the world.
“If we play in the semifinals, that means we’d automatically be ranked fourth.
“And this team can do it because they are one of the fittest teams that are competing in Liverpool and they’ve got experience in playing overseas.”
Goda said the only thing that the Proteas had been lacking over the years when she was part of the team was exposure to international standards.
“This team is exposed to international netball, so they are used to high intensity and competing and that’s why they have managed to get this far in this competition.
“They can absorb any pressure and that puts them at the same level as other countries and I think that’s how we were able to come back against Jamaica. We knew it was not going to be easy because that’s one of the tallest teams in the world. But we capitalised on their mistakes. If we can beat Uganda, we’d be in a much better position,” said Goda.