MBABANE – Team Eswatini’s senior women’s handball side will return home on Sunday after completing its historic debut at the IHF Nations Trophy Africa Zone VI in Lusaka.
Eswatini finished its campaign against some of the region’s established sides with the team showing encouraging spells despite falling short of securing a victory.
The side opened its campaign against Namibia suffering a narrow 20-17 defeat after the teams were level 8-8 at half-time. Eswatini then faced hosts Zambia going down 30-18 before concluding its campaign with a 30-23 defeat to South Africa.
Despite the results the Eswatini players continued to compete until the final whistle gaining valuable international experience against regional opposition.
The tournament brings together eight nations namely Eswatini and Zambia and South Africa and Namibia and Zimbabwe and Malawi and Mozambique and Lesotho.
The competition marks an important milestone for Eswatini handball with this being the country’s first senior appearance in the Zone VI tournament.
Eswatini Handball Association President Delisile Manyatsi said the tournament was an important step in the development of the national team with the players needing more exposure at international level.
“We must ensure our athletes gain further experience and enhance their performance on the court” Manyatsi said.
“The team tried its best throughout the competition but it was not enough to secure a win.”
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