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Baby Proteas head coach Precious Mthembu says she feels confident about the 15-player squad selected to represent South Africa at the upcoming Netball Youth World Cup in Gibraltar.
This is after Netball South Africa acting President unveiled the final Under-21 national team squad in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Mthembu says her team has a positive mindset and is ready to take on the world stage.
"I think we find ourselves in a really good frame of mind, and we are really excited about this group that was selected.
"They were selected according to the respect we have for our nation and the opposition we will face in Gibraltar," said the head coach.
Mthembu unpacks their preparation and journey with only eight weeks left until the championship.
"We have had a lot of competitions and interactions, and the bond between the girls has just strengthened over time. Our qualifying campaign was managed very well, we participated in the Spar National Champs, then Jamaica, and now we are fortunate to play in the Telkom Knockout."
The 41-year-old mentor says that working alongside assistant coach Phumza Maweni has made her job easier, as they can relate better to the current crop as former players.
"We are former players, we have played in the same together, and we have always had the same goal, so the connection is great.
"The players can be inspired by their coaches who have played at the highest level before."
Mthembu adds that coming in as African champions to this competition is also a huge confidence booster.
