MBABANE – Eswatini may have missed out on gold, but two of its stars left the Africa Netball Cup with major individual honours after a thrilling final in Nairobi.
Ndukwe Masangane was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, while Thembinkosi ‘Lorch’ Matsebula was crowned Best Mid-Court Player following Eswatini’s impressive campaign.
Masangane was central to Eswatini’s run to the final, throughout the tournament in goal attack, while Matsebula’s work in the middle of the court helped link the defensive and attacking units.
Their individual recognition provided a major highlight for Eswatini after the national side narrowly missed out on a historic gold medal. Eswatini pushed three-time defending champions South Africa all the way in the final at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, Kenya, before losing 49-45 on Saturday September 26, 2026.
The silver medal represented an improvement on the bronze secured last year and was also a repeat of the 2024 final, when SA similarly denied Eswatini the continental title. The Jabulani Vilane-led side produced a spirited display but were unable to withstand a decisive South African fightback in the final quarter. Vilane made one change to his starting line-up, bringing in Simanga ‘Mgwaja’ Vilakati at centre in place of Mandisa Sihlongonyane, who started on the bench.
Brandon Dlamini retained his place at goal shooter, with Masangane at goal attack and Sphiwo Dlamini at wing attack. Sakhile Maseko started at wing defence; Sthabiso Mzileni at goal defence; and Captain Fortune Neves at goalkeeper.
South Africa made the brighter start, taking the opening quarter 14-10 before extending their advantage to 26-21 at half-time. Eswatini, however, responded emphatically after the interval.
Masangane and Dlamini converted the pressure into goals. Meanwhile, Mzileni and Neves helped tighten the defence as Eswatini dominated the third quarter 15-7 to establish a 36-33 lead. The decisive turnaround came in the final quarter.
South Africa regained their composure and produced a 16-9 final period to overturn Eswatini’s advantage and retain the continental crown with a 49-45 victory. Despite the defeat, Eswatini’s silver-medal finish and the individual awards for Masangane and Matsebula capped a memorable continental campaign.
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