Maphata looks promising in Mayor’s Cup competition
Maphata netball coach, Ekson Nkuna from Ward 26, praised his team after their dominant win over the Babangu netball team during a Mayor’s Cup match at the Giyani tennis courts on Saturday.
His team beat the Babangu team from Ward 3, 26-10, to claim a top four spot in the tournament. Speaking after the game, Nkuna said he was impressed how his entire team played their respective roles to secure the win, saying this puts them in a good position for the remaining Mayor’s Cup showdowns. “I think today we took another step forward from our previous win in the tournament.”
“We have proven that we’re prepared for any team we face, and I’m sure they will be fearful of us in the top four playoffs,” he said, adding that this year he wants to be in the finals. “Last year, we were knocked out of the top four. However, this time, we aim to at least finish the tournament in second place if we don’t win the cup,” he said.
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When asked how he plans to handle the experienced players at the tournament, Nkuna expressed confidence in his team. “I don’t care which players they bring in, I fear no one because I have trained these players well to play in all conditions,” he said. Supporting her coach’s statement, team captain Matimu Mabunda added that they have a specific strategy for playing against taller opponents.
“Before we adopt a game strategy, we analyse the type of play they use and adjust accordingly. For tall opponents, we always play a low ball because that way we can beat them easily,” she said. Nkuna added that his team would train hard to prepare for their next challenge. “It is easier to train young girls than adults because, when you need them, the adults are often elsewhere doing their things.”
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“But these young girls are always available when I need them,” he said, adding that his team consists of girls aged between 14 and 16 years old. The age composition of his team aligns with this year’s Mayor’s Cup which prioritises young players over adults as part of the municipality’s efforts to develop youth in sports. According to the municipality’s rules, each netball team should include four youth players under 21 and three adults. This means his team meets the required age limit.
