MANZINI – The Eswatini Men’s National Netball Team once again proved their dominance, cruising to a 37-28 victory past Kenya yesterday.
This was during a fiercely-contested clash staged at the Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe, Malawi, as part of their Africa Netball Cup group stage encounters. Following the win, the locals qualified for the semi-finals slated for the weekend.
Eswatini had previously edged hosts Malawi 44-42 in their opening game, two days ago.
They will likely face either Botswana or South Africa (SA) in the next stage of the tournament. Last year, the Vumbubukhosi Ndlangamandla-led men fell short to SA in the final, earning them a silver medal. As per the competition rules, Pool Two log leaders are set to meet with the first group’s runners-up.
Eswatini started their game with Kenya on the back foot. Regardless, they staged a comeback still in the first quarter, ending this round leading 10-6.
The stalwart Goal Shooter, Siphiwo Dlamini, and Goal Attacker Thembeka Dlamini kept evading Kenya’s back line.
They netted 10-8 goals to produce a score of 20-14 going into the breather.
Upon the resumption of play, Ndlangamandla’s charges pressed on, receiving the ball from Wing Attacker Simanga ‘Mgwaja’ Vilakati and Centre Mandisa ‘Makepeace’ Sihlongonyane before Vilakati was eventually substituted. As a result of the replacement, the likes of Brandon Dlamini stepped up.
Kenya gained momentum in this quarter, winning it 9-6, although Eswatini were still in the lead at 26-23. However, the Eswatini back row of Mpendulo Mncina, Fortune Neves, and Goal Keeper Sakhile Maseko held fast.
Eswatini then hammered their opponents 11-5 to achieve the final score of 37-28 when the match’s umpire blew his final whistle.
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