Stallions maintain unbeaten run in Johannesburg

Netball
The Desert Stallions’ flawless campaign will be tested as they take on an unbeaten South African U23 side tonight.
Mariud Ngula
  • 3 Hours Ago

Namibia’s national men’s netball team, the Desert Stallions, made it two wins from two at the Super Power Week in Johannesburg after defeating the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) 49-40 at Wembley Indoor Arena yesterday.

The Pool Yellow encounter saw Namibia establish a narrow 14-12 advantage after the opening quarter before stretching their lead to 27-21 at half-time.

The Stallions then outscored their opponents 15-8 in the third quarter to open up a commanding 42-29 lead heading into the final period.

Although SANDF fought back to outscore the Stallions 11-7 in the fourth quarter, the Stallions had already done enough to secure the nine-goal victory.

Head coach Salomon “Teri” Tuaire started with Aron Iipinge at goal shooter (GS), Valentino Tijendapi at goal attack (GA), Leonard Somseb at wing attack (WA) and Immanuel Uirab at centre (C).

Frans Indongo manned wing defence (WD), with captain Rivaldo Omeb at goal defence (GD) and Joseph Shinyengu at goalkeeper (GK).

Tuaire’s changes to his combinations included bringing in Tjiritja Mbaukua at wing defence in the opening quarter, with Shinyengu featuring at goalkeeper in the second.

Shuratiaan Khakisi moved into centre in the third quarter, while Tijendapi shifted from goal attack to wing defence in the final period.

The Stallions’ victory cemented their perfect start to the campaign, having routed the South African Police Service (SAPS) 78-18 in their opening match on Wednesday.


Second on the log

Across the two matches, the Namibians have scored 127 goals and conceded 58 for a goal difference of +69.

The victories placed the Stallions second in Pool Yellow after Thursday’s matches, behind South Africa’s U23 men’s team, which holds a superior goal difference of +98, with both sides unbeaten after two matches.

The South Africans have beaten Eswatini 47-42 before routing SAPS 102-9.

The Desert Stallions will meet the unbeaten U23 side at 19:00 tonight at Wembley Indoor Arena, with both teams looking to preserve their perfect records in a match that could have a decisive bearing on their prospects of advancing to the knockout stage.

Sunday’s semi-finals will feature only the top two finishers from each pool. A victory over SA U23 would strengthen Namibia’s position in the race for those places.

A defeat could leave them needing a favourable result in their final pool encounter against Eswatini tomorrow at 15:00, and potentially other results to go their way.

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