MBABANE – The reigning Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations (COSANA) Club Championships champions, Royal Flames, will begin their title defence tomorrow, Friday July 17.
The defending champions open their campaign against Zambia’s National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Netball Club in Group B. The match is scheduled for 10:15am at the Sunrise Sports Club in Belvedere, Zimbabwe according to fixtures released by COSANA.
Later in the day, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Netball Club will return to action, facing Kitwe Rifles of Zambia at 6:15pm.
On Saturday, Flames will be back on court at 10:45am to take on Zimbabwe’s Makate High-Flyers as they look to protect the crown they won last year after defeating Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) in the final.
Coaches Wandile Sithole and Swane Simelane said the team is in high spirits ahead of their first match. Head Coach Sithole said the mandate is still to defend the title as instructed by Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) Chairperson and Eswatini National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM) Vusie Manoma Masango.
“The team spirit is high. We have already had a few training sessions to familiarise ourselves with the surface we will be playing on,” Sithole said.
“We will be playing on a rubberised surface, unlike the solid one we are used to back home, so the players need to adjust, especially the grip on their sneakers.”
He added that a few minor knocks in the squad are expected to be resolved by Friday. Regarding the demanding schedule, which includes two matches on some days, Sithole said the team is prepared both physically and mentally.
At least 11 teams from across Southern Africa are competing for regional supremacy at the tournament.
The competition officially began today, Thursday July 16, with an opening ceremony at 9am.
Group A: Chapungu, Harare City, Green Eagles, Lesotho Correctional, Namibia Correctional, Green Buffaloes.
Group B: NAPSA Netball Club, Royal Flames, Makate High Flyers, Lesotho Police, Kitwe Riffles
