Baby Proteas coach Precious Mthembu embraces the World Cup challenge

The Africa World Cup qualifier tournament is set to take place from 17-23 March at the University of Pretoria.

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Taking over from Jenny Van Dyk as the head coach, Mthembu, at the age of 39, has already demonstrated her leadership by assembling a formidable 12-player squad for the tournament, held on home soil.

Having previously served as Van Dyk’s assistant for an extended period, Mthembu now assumes the role on a full-time basis.

South Africa finds itself in Pool A alongside Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Burundi. With only two spots available for World Cup qualification from the nine teams spread across two pools, the competition promises to be intense.

“I’m honoured to have been given the responsibility to coach the Under-21 national team having worked with coaches Van Dyk and Dr Elsje Jordaan for a few years. It has been a learning curve for me and to get the opportunity to coach at the highest level is amazing,” said Mthembu during her interview with SABC Sport.

Mthembu, a full-time educator in Kwa-Zulu Natal, holds a level 3 coaching certificate. Alongside her teaching profession, she coaches Kingdom Stars in the Telkom Netball League as well as various development teams and clubs.

Though she retired four years ago after representing the Proteas in 97 matches competing against big teams in events like the Commonwealth Games and World Cups, she now eagerly anticipates the challenge of guiding her team onto the global stage next year.

“I’m thrown into the deep end with lots of support from Netball South Africa,” she remarked.

“I’m at ease with my job. We have a good squad and had two camps already; we can raise the standard and level of playing in the qualifiers. We have lots of boxes to tick and are confident that we will make the country proud,” she further stated.  

Mthembu will receive support from retired former Proteas player Phumza Maweni, who stepped away from the game last year. Mthembu expressed her intent to bring a style of play reminiscent of the Proteas senior national team, drawing from her experience working alongside Van Dyk.

“I’ve been in sync with Coach Jenny’s ideas, and having Phumza as my assistant, whom I’ve played with in the Proteas for a few years, is like a dream come true, “exclaimed Mthembu.

“Coach Jenny and I frequently exchange ideas and resources, and we’re both eagerly anticipating the challenges ahead,”