A very dramatic final of the Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations tournament in Windhoek at the Patrick Iyambo Netball Courts ended 47-44 in the favour of Eswatini’s Royal Flames.

In the first quarter, Royal Flames led 16-12 in an action-full encounter. The second quarter was an electrifying affair as both teams urged each other on, with the quarter ending 30-26 in Eswatini’s favour.

ZDF Queens of Zimbabwe’s coach, Phillemon Mangwiro, was visibly furious, accusing officials of unfair play. His team was trailing the Royal Flames of Eswatini, and the situation worsened in the third quarter when nearly three of his players were sidelined due to injuries with the quarter ending 40-36.

In the fourth quarter, ZDF Queens caught up and leveled 41-41 in an intense battle. However, it was the Flames who won the match 47-44.

Wandile Sithole, the coach of the Flames, said they were happy with the win; however, he said they always have a problem playing the third quarter but just told the players to keep focused. He added that it was a physical match, but they didn’t want to play body to body. He added that the win means a lot to his players and they are overjoyed.

On the other hand, a disgruntled Mangwiro refused to comment.

In the third place playoff, Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) defeated the Botswana Defence Force 41-27, after a tough and competitive match. Head coach of NCS Salomon Taure said they’ll take the lesson’s they’ve learned and apply them in the MTC Netball Namibia Premier League starting this weekend.