• Nampol

Mighty Gunners are The Invincibles

• 1 Year Ago 10 October 2022

Mighty Gunners player Jatjinda Kambatuku hopes her team will retain most of its players to continue their legacy next season.

She said this towards the end of their 42-36 victory over Namibia Correctional Service, which also proved the end of their successful season at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College.

The Mighty Gunners completed an entire season without losing a match and won the premier league in the process.

“It was a rough season, but we managed to finish it in style and we can only hope to retain the players we have in order to continue with the legacy.

“I say it was rough in a sense that each game was challenging because all the teams wanted to defeat us and end our unbeaten run.

“The players played well and made sure that we were able to defy all the odds against us, summing up a perfect season," she said.

Force to be reckoned with

Mighty Gunners pocketed N$120 000 and a trophy after finishing on top.

Gunners were followed by Namibian Navy Netball Club, which earned the team N$80 000 for their efforts, while Namibia Correctional Service ended third.

The prison guards got N$60 000 for their efforts after losing to the champions in their last match that could have resulted in them finishing second had they taken more chances.

Kambatuku, however, said the Namibia Correctional Service team will be a force to be reckoned with in the next season.

“I think they're the team we all have to be aware of next season because they will have some of the top players.

“The fact that they are recruiting means that some of the good players from other teams will join that team,” she added.

Relegations and demotions

The league saw four teams - Blue Waters, Grootfontein Netball Club, Northern Fly Ballers and Young Stars - relegated.

Eleven Arrows, Tigers, Rebels, Afro Cat Lions and Otjozondjupa Nampol survived the chop.

The relegated teams will be demoted to the first division, while those promoted from the divisions will join the premier league.

League administrator Rebecca Nekundi-Goagoses thanked MTC for its sponsorship.

“I would like to thank MTC for the sponsorship you have been giving us for the past two years.

“Everything has not been going as well as we planned, but I think we can improve from your feedback.

“There are those players who are not happy, but we will improve on our shortcomings,” she said.

Players most important

MTC’s Fikameni Mathias congratulated the winning team and lauded the players for their efforts throughout the season.

“I think the players are the most important people here today because we wouldn’t have had anyone to sponsor had it not been for them playing.

“We would like to appreciate the players and the administrators for making this possible," he said.

“To Namibia Sports Commission chief Freddy Mwiya, we have to try and improve that first league in order to have netball improved at all levels,” Mathias said.

Bitler optimistic

Afro Cat Lions are hoping for a better campaign next season after ending a paltry seventh.

Their coach Dimitri Bitler is certain that his side has what it takes to regroup.

“It was a disappointing season because we are not exactly were we wanted to be.

“We can, however, draw positives from the fact the team did not get relegated," he added.

“The secret to success next season is to retain the players we have now because we had lost many and that proved costly."