GABORONE, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Botswana men's softball team and the women's junior team have qualified for the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) world championships to be staged later this year.

A statement from the WBSC released on Tuesday confirmed that Botswana and South African teams will represent Africa at the two tournaments respectively considering their ranks in the region.

Botswana came runners-up to neighbors South Africa in both categories at a tournament held in Atteridgeville, South Africa last weekend to determine the countries to qualify for the world showpiece.

South Africa defeated Botswana 4-2 in the final of the African Men's softball championship, with Lesotho finishing third.

South Africa also came top in the junior women category winning the five-game continental championship series.

The 2019 Men's Softball World Championship will be held in Prague and Havlickuv Brod, the Czech Republic, from 13-23 June 2019 and will feature 12 of the top 13 ranked teams in the world.

Among the powerhouses at the tournament are top ranked Switzerland, second ranked Canada and third ranked Japan. Botswana is ranked 13th.

The WBSC 2019 Junior Women's Softball World Cup will be staged in Irvine, California, USA, from 11-17 August.

Sixteen countries and regions including the world's number 1-11 will be competing for the youth women's world title.

Botswana men will be hoping to build on to their impressive performance at the 2017 WSBC world championship in Canada where they finished seventh.

The Botswana junior women's team will be making their maiden appearance at the tournament. Enditem

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