Van Zyl to turn around Chiefs’ fortunes
By Michael Uugwanga
NEWLY appointed coach of Rundu Chiefs Netball Club, Laurette van Zyl has said that the first thing she will do as mentor is to instil lost confidence back into the players, so that the team can start winning matches in the newly established MTC Namibia Netball Premier League.
Rundu Chiefs remain bottom on the log with no points from the five matches they have played so far and have been without a permanent coach since the beginning of the season that started on April 30.
Theresia Sindimba who was acting in the position left the club due to personal reasons which prompted the club hierarchy to appoint a new coach in van Zyl.
Van Zyl’s test will only come on May 29 when her side will take on a confident-looking side in Grootfontein Netball Club who are heading into the match on the back of a 39-36 weekend win over another struggling team, Dollar Stars Netball Club.
Chiefs, Eleven Arrows and Golden Girls are the only three teams out of the 12 teams in the league yet to record wins in the league.
Speaking to Confidente Sport upon her appointment on Monday, van Zyl said that she is confident that her team will start to win sooner rather than later.
Van Zyl knows very well that in order for her team to win against Grootfontein in Otjiwarongo they will need to be on top of their game.
“The team did not have a coach from the beginning. I am appointed officially as coach as from 17 May. My aim is to build up confidence after all the losses and work on fitness and avoid further injuries.
“We can only win with the right mindset and attitude and with that is when we can win some matches. The target is any place is better than the last place. This coming weekend we are off, but on 29 we are playing against Grootfontein,” she said.
Grootfontein Netball Club’s team manager, Anna Namundjebo has warned Rundu Chiefs that they have no chance of claiming points off them when they meet.
Grootfontein are in seventh place on three points.
“We will definitely win more matches as we are getting fitter each day. I think our chances to win this game are very good because we have enough time to practice and work on our fitness level,” warned Namundjebo.
High flying Mighty Gunners who are second on the log with six points from three matches, are just four points adrift top of the table team Tigers who have 10 points from five matches played.
The Gunners will take on Rebels on May 29 also in Otjiwarongo as they try to close the gap at the top.
Acting team manager of Gunners, Desire Namases confidently told Confidente Sport that her team will be gunning for top honours come end of the season.
“Of course we will win the league because we are Mighty Gunners and we did not come here in the league to play but we came with a mission that must be accomplished,” said Namases.