Maqonda Ndlovu
Netball Namibia (NN) acting secretary eneral Isack Hamata says all is set for the 2024 MTC-Netball Namibia Premier League playoffs, which are scheduled for tomorrow at the Trusco United Netball Fields in Windhoek.
A total of ten teams were drawn into two groups on Wednesday.
These teams are Unam Jaguars (Khomas), United 12 (//Kharas), Harambee (Hardap), Okahandja (Otjozondjupa), Blue Waters (Erongo), Ministry of Safety and Security (Omaheke), Tsumeb A (Oshikoto), Eastern Chiefs (Kavango East), Ogongo Unam (Omusati) and Extreme (Oshana).
In Group A, United 12, Okahandja, Unam Ogongo, Harambee and Tsumeb will fight it out, while in Group B, Extreme, Blue Waters, the Ministry of Safety and Security, Eastern Chiefs and Unam Jaguars will do battle.
“All logistics are in place, and we expect the teams to start arriving early today. The 10 teams have confirmed their participation, and the teams will be given some financial aid for travel. We expect competitive matches from all the teams as they aim to grab one of the four slots available for promotion,” Hamata said.
He added the teams will play two 15-minute halves punctuated by a five-minute break.
Ohangwena, Zambezi, Kavango West and Kunene currently do not have active leagues; hence, they will not be part of the playoffs.
Among the teams vying for the top spot will be Ogongo Unam and Blue Waters, who were relegated in the first season of the MTC NNPL. Meanwhile, Jaguars head coach Augusta Mbai said her team preparations have gone well, and they are looking forward to playing well tomorrow.
“We finished our league matches in October and continued with training because we did not know the date of the playoffs. However, as a university team, exams started, so we had to halt our training, but as soon as we got confirmation of the dates, we resumed,” she said.
Mbai said her team will play basic netball, since they are playing two halves, instead of the normal four quarters.
“We have to avoid making mistakes, while we should capitalise on our opponent’s mistakes. We must play on the front foot; avoid catch-up netball,” she said.
Tsumeb coach Sofilia Mendos shared the same sentiments as her Jaguars counterpart, saying exams had forced them to halt preparations at some point in time.
“Besides that, our preparations have gone well, and we are ready. We are looking forward to tough but fair matches. I call upon the officials to be impartial and let the best team win,” said Mendos.
The top two teams from each group will be promoted to next year’s NNPL.