By GRACE CHAILE –

NETBALL Association of Zambia (NAZ) general secretary Pritchard Ngoma has declared the national team ready for the 2014 Africa Netball Championship in Botswana from September 14 to 20.
Speaking in an interview after a morning training session at National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) in Lusaka yesterday, Ngoma said the queens have been training hard putting in mind that this will also be a World Netball championship qualifier and only two slots remaining.
He said Malawi and South Africa will not take part in the championship as they have already qualified for the World Netball Championship.
“Two slots have already been taken by South Africa and Malawi. The team knows what is at stake for them to compete at international level.  South Africa and Malawi who are among the best teams in the world may not take part but we still have Zimbabwe, Botswana among others to beat.
We have assembled the best players who will deliver in Botswana,” he said.
He was impressed with the players’ commitment and levels of fitness including the positive psychological preparedness.
He said the team is scheduled to leave for Botswana next Wednesday four days before the tournament to allow players relieve stress ahead of the tournament.
In last month’s top 32 World rankings, nine Africa  countries scooped places with Zambia ranked 32 while Malawi  reclaimed the fifth place, South Africa sixth, Uganda  14,  Tanzania 17, Botswana 19, Zimbabwe 24, Namibia 28  and Lesotho 32.