Netball Namibia unveils 2025 national squads

Netball
Brian Munango
  • 15 Hours Ago
Netball Namibia yesterday named its 2025 national squads for both men and women following trials at the Patrick Iyambo courts in Windhoek. The announcement marks a major step in preparing the Desert Jewels and Desert Stallions for a busy international season.

Debmarine Desert Jewels head coach Julene Meyer said the Jewels are preparing for a demanding year with two back-to-back tournaments in November.

“We had 45 players nominated by high-performance coaches for the trials and from that pool we’ll select the team for the Celtic Cup in Glasgow, where we’ll face Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Uganda and Zimbabwe. That same team will then travel directly to Lilongwe for the Africa Cup just seven days later,” Meyer explained.

She added that fitness testing produced mixed results. “Some players excelled, while others fell short, but we have 10 weeks to get them up to standard against the top 10 in the world.”

Squad:

Erongo: Tilie Kamati, Cornelia Mupenda, Usuta Muvangua, Ndeshihafela Nauyoma

Hardap: Monica Gomases

Kavango East: Rejoice Kambonge, Melitta Hunga

||Kharas: Monique Basson

Khomas: Hope Kazondovi, Vezemboua Mauano, Uapandera Muundjua

Ohangwena: Elisia Hambongo, Loide Hanyanya

Omusati: Mirjam Johaness, Imbeleni Frans

Oshana: Godlove Victor

Oshikoto: Anna Shipanga, Hileni Thomas

Otjozondjupa: Uendjisuvera Kangumine, Mendjipe Kaveako, Johanna Petrus, Magdalena Hishimwene, Grace Matyayi, Rosalia Nanghonda



Desert Stallions

The men’s national side, the Desert Stallions, will also be flying the flag this year, with coach Salomon "Teri" Tuaire encouraged by the rapid growth of the men’s game.

“This year’s turnout has been much better than expected. Last year, we only had around 10 to 15 players, but now we’re looking at 30 to 40. It shows the hunger to compete,” he said.

The Stallions are preparing for the SADC Africa Cup in Malawi in December. “Other nations are already in camp and hosting test series, so we’re starting a bit late. But we want to identify a strong group now and fine-tune them for the Cup,” Tuaire added.

Squad:

Erongo: Rivaldo Omeb, Telwin Tjiuongua

Hardap: Suratiaan Khakisi

Kavango East: Matheus Genesis

Khomas: Fillemon Erastus, Kotjii Kavari, Frank Makaya, Musambani Vijanda

Kunene: Immanual |Uirab

Omaheke: Zaaka Mbaukua

Oshana: Frans Indongo

Oshikoto: Shikongo Thomas, Leonard Somseb

Otjozondjupa: Bradley Geigub, Joseph Zuongura, Inselly Oxurub, Valentino Tujendapi, Conzales Louis

Both squads reflect Namibia’s regional depth and signal an exciting build-up to a packed international season.