Limpopo crowned top softball team in South Africa for the sixth time
The Limpopo men's softball team were crowned the champions of the Softball National Championship during the finals at Turf Hall Stadium in Cape Town. They lifted the championship trophy in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
POLOKWANE – On April 2 the Limpopo softball team thrashed Gauteng 10-3 in the finals, which led to the historic feat that reaffirmed the team’s status as the top softball team in the country after they won the title for the sixth time.
They lifted the championship trophy in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Team coach Nakedi Raphalo attributed the team’s success to his dedicated squad. “We have a group of both junior and senior players and their synergy is so amazing. It gives us great pleasure as a province to have a generational mix in the team. The players complement each other well and the future looks bright. We will make sure this legacy remains intact.”
President of Softball South Africa, Mashilo Matsetela, said the tournament gave the national coaches the opportunity to decide which players will represent the country in the upcoming World Cup.
“The tournament proved to be an elite place to separate performers from non-performers. The performers put all their energy into ensuring victory for their provinces with determination to impress the national coaches. It was one of the greatest sporting events on the continent and as the custodians of the game in the country we are pleased with the depth of talent among players and the objective judgment of our umpires and scorers. This level of competency is part of our development agenda to ensure that softball is rated among the greatest sporting codes in the country.”
Limpopo Softball Association executive member Benny Boshomane also heaped praise on the players with development ranks who did well in the tournament.
“We had Sello Molokowane who hit his first home run at the event, as well as Kamogelo Makotomakwe and Mpho Makakeng who accumulated crucial runs in the tournament, and we are happy about their performance. Those are players from our development structure and they are young and hungry for success. Going forward they will become good players.”
Tidima Kekana was named pitcher of the tournament after he eliminated a number of batters from the opponent teams.
