Jaguars crowned Khomas Super 10 champions
The University of Namibia (Unam) Jaguars are champions of this season’s Khomas Netball League Super 10 division after topping the table with 66 points from 18 matches, having lost only three and drawn none.
They will now shift their focus to the MTC Netball Premier League play-offs, where they will aim to secure promotion to the country’s top-flight competition next season.
Speaking to Sport Wrap yesterday, Jaguars coach Augusta Mbai described the championship as “really special”, adding that she was “extremely proud of the girls and the work they have put in throughout the season.”
“This is not my first experience going into the playoffs with the club, but this particular season was very different because we had to rebuild almost from scratch after losing the majority of our players,” Mbai said.
She added that their focus will now shift to preparing for a much higher level of competition in the playoffs.
Fine margins for second
After the final league matches last weekend in Windhoek, Go Monate Fella and Tigers finished five points behind on 61, with the former taking silver on a superior goal difference of 177 to Tigers’ 150.
The coaches of the champions and runners-up, Augusta Mbai of Unam Jaguars and David Faustinud of Go Monate Fella, shared the Best Coach accolade.
United endured a difficult season, with both their A and B teams finishing ninth and 10th, respectively, to be relegated from the Super 10 to the second division.
Among the individual honours, Jaguars’ Kelly Muvangua was named Player of the Season, while Alcina Hamunyela of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) was recognised as Best Attacker.
Nust’s Gloria Kurangera was named Best Defender, with her side also claiming the Golden Hoop award after finishing the season with a goal difference of 209 and placing fourth. Namibian Correctional Service claimed the Golden Glove award.
Second division
In the second division, Afrocat Lions A completed a flawless season by winning all 16 of their matches to finish champions on 71 points. They ended nine points ahead of second-placed Nust on 62, while Afrocat Lions B took bronze with 36.
Afrocat A and Nust will both be promoted to the Super 10 next season, while Afrocat head coach Dimitri Bittler was named the division’s Best Coach.
Afrocat A also completed a clean sweep of the individual player awards, with Anna Shaanika named Player of the Season, Leticia Hindongo Best Attacker and Naleli Simanza Best Defender.
The club also claimed both the Golden Hoop and Golden Glove awards after finishing the season with a league-high goal difference of 370.
Meanwhile, Unam Jaguars finished ninth to be relegated to the third division. Black Africa will also drop to the third division after finishing eighth.
Third division
The third division title race went down to goal difference, with Go Monate Fella and Nust both finishing on 46 points.
Go Monate Fella took gold with a goal difference of 216 compared with Nust’s 188, leaving the latter with silver.
Both teams nevertheless secured promotion to the second division, while Young Generations finished third on 43 points from 12 matches to claim bronze. No teams were relegated from the division.
Go Monate Fella’s Helena Shindondola was named Player of the Season, with Young Generations’ Rauna Hamakali taking Best Attacker and Nust’s Hanneli Kamati Best Defender.
The Best Coach award went to Faustinud, whose Go Monate Fella side also claimed the Golden Hoop and Golden Glove awards.
Overall honours
Nust was named Club of the Year and Most Branded Club, while also scooping the Sportsmanship Award.
United received the Most Disciplined Club award, with Tigers recognised as Most Improved.
Paulus Shilongo was named Best Umpire, Isadore Nel Best Team Manager and Klaudia Mbeeli Administrator of the Year, while Erica van Zyl (Probrand) received an appreciation certificate.
The Namibian’s Helge Schütz received the Lifetime Achievement in Sports Reporting award, while Sport Wrap’s Mariud Ngula was named Best Media Reporter.
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