Latest news with #CorneliaMupenda
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Golden Fireballs finally ignite in Telkom Netball League triumph
The Golden Fireballs celebrate after being crowned 2025 TNL champions with their victory over the Crinums atv the Durban ICC on Sunday afternoon. Image: Netball South Africa Golden Fireballs coach Dr Elsje Jordaan was thrilled to finally get the monkey off their backs with a thrilling victory over the Free State Crinums in Sunday's Telkom Netball League final at the Durban ICC. The Gauteng side ensured the perfect end to a flawless season, having won every game en route to the grand finale, clinching a hard-fought 47-40 win over the defending champions. The result also offered redemption after falling at the semi-final stage in the past two seasons. 'We're very happy. We worked very hard for this, and to see how the players chipped in — and the management — it's a great reward after a season of really hard work. So we're really just grateful, thankful and proud,' Jordaan told Independent Media Sport after their titanic battle. Cornelia Mupenda of the Fireballs wins one of her countless aerial duels against the Crinums in Sunday's intense TNL final at the Durban ICC. Image: Netball South Africa The veteran former Proteas coach placed her trust in a solid core of players, rarely making changes until late in matches — and the likes of Proteas goal attack Owethu 'Sammy' Ngubane repaid that faith. 'I thought we did really well in the way we managed our squad. All 12 players contributed. We knew, when it came close to the end of the competition, we'd need experience, and we backed our experience,' Jordaan said. 'You could see the nervous start. Our attack is really young and the nerves got to them, but once they found their rhythm, they did really well.' Centre Refiloe Nketsa dictated matters for the Crinums from midcourt, her pinpoint feeds troubling the Fireballs in the first quarter. Ngubane initially struggled to impose herself but gradually grew into the game. Coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm's Crinums raised their defensive intensity, pulling five goals clear (11-6) with three minutes to go in the opening quarter. But the Fireballs clawed their way back with a super shot from Ngubane and clinical finishing by goal shooter Nonsikelelo Mazibuko, trailing 13-11 at the break. The Gauteng side tightened up their defence in a seesaw second quarter where neither team gave an inch. Nketsa was sin-binned for excessive contact on goal defence Cornelia Mupenda just before half-time, with the scores level at 23-23. It remained difficult to separate the sides, with the crowd's energy matching the ferocity on court. The Fireballs capitalised on their numerical advantage and quick transitions to edge ahead 27-24. Though the Crinums remained in touch, trailing 34-30, the momentum had shifted. The decisive final 15 minutes saw both teams empty the tank. The Fireballs led by seven goals with under 10 minutes to play and held firm. Another Crinums player was sent off late on, effectively ending their hopes. Fireballs wing defence Tarle Mathe was named Player of the Match for her sterling all-round contribution, and also walked away with the Division 1 tournament MVP award. Coach Mosoahle-Samm conceded that the two player dismissals at crucial moments had affected her side but was gracious in defeat. 'We missed a couple of opportunities that we should have taken. But it's a final — a very high-pressure game — and I'm so proud of the troops when you look at where we're coming from and where we are now. It's three consecutive finals; no team does that easily,' she said. 'Two sendings-off in a high-pressure game like this — that was a bit unfortunate. But it is what it is. We have to take the loss, so congratulations to the Fireballs.' Meanwhile, the KZN Kingdom Stars secured their return to Division 1 with a commanding 60-42 demolition of the Limpopo Baobabs in Sunday's earlier play-off — spurred on by the passionate singing and dancing of jubilant home fans who created a fantastic atmosphere at the iconic venue.
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Unbeaten Fireballs scorch Stings to book titanic TNL final against the Crinums
Fireballs goalkeeper Cornelia Mupenda (second right) moves in quickly to snuff out the danger posed by Stings goal shooter Sian Moore in their TNL clash at the Durban ICC. The Fireballs beat the Stings 60-47 on Saturday to book their place in Sunday's final. Image: Netball South Africa The Golden Fireballs booked their place in the Telkom Netball League final at the Durban ICC with a dominant 60-47 win over the Western Cape Southern Stings on Friday afternoon. The only unbeaten team in the competition will face defending champions the Free State Crinums in a blockbuster final on Sunday afternoon. The Crinums edged the Gauteng Jaguars 57-52 in another thrilling, tight clash between last year's finalists. The Crinums led 30-24 at half-time but held on for the win in a tense final few minutes. The Stings ensured that the Fireballs did not have things all their own way in the first quarter of their semi-final. Goal shooters Tinita van Dyk of the fireballs and Sian Moore of the Stings traded early blows. Early push Stings centre Amber Coraizin was key in holding down the midcourt as they started at a great attacking tempo, with zippy entry passes. It didn't take long for Fireballs' star goal attack Owethu 'Sammy' Ngubane to ignite her team's offence and defence. A supershot from the Proteas star and another from Van Dyk ensured they went into the break 17-11 up. The duo were clinical in the shooting circle throughout the match, and Alexandra Meimaris was having a field day with her feeds into the circle. Star Jaguars wing attack Katlego Maseko (with ball in hand) was in fine form for her team but could not prevent a narrow loss against the Crinums in their hard-fought TNL semi-final on Friday night. Image: Netball South Africa Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Stings started to feel the pressure from the suffocating Fireballs defence with goalkeeper Cornelia Mupenda's influence growing as the match wore on. Wing defence Tarle Mathe was equally impressive in a defensive effort that relied on teamwork and a tireless work ethic, even when the match seemed well won. The difference between the two teams was also the Fireball's ability to capitalise on their turnover balls and circle entries. They were just more clinical than their rivals. The Stings fought hard to stay in the game, at 33-29 down at half-time. But the lead had blown out to 48-34 by the end of the third quarter as the Fireballs were relentless at both ends of the court. The finishing touch The crowd roared with delight when Nonsikelelo Mazibuko sank a long-range shot to put the seal on a commanding performance from the Gauteng team that seemed to have plenty support form the raucous crowd. 'We did really well. We wanted to fight for this and we're finally there. We're finally at the finish line. I think we fought for each other and we deserve this,' Ngubane said in her post-match interview. 'This means a lot for me, my netball journey and pushing through everything,' she said of her Player of the Match accolade, while struggling to hold back the tears. 🏅 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 | Division 1 - Semi-Final 1 🔥 Sammy was slick on attack and calm under pressure — she grabs her third POTM of the season! 👏💪#TNLFireballsStings #TelkomNL #TNL2025 #TelkomStandTall @TelkomZA — Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) July 18, 2025 For her coach, Dr Elsje Jordaan, the celebration was also tinged with relief after two near misses at the same stage in the past two seasons. Third time lucky 'Third time lucky for us,' the elated coach said afterwards. 'Previous two years we were top of the log and then we slipped, so happy for today.' Stings coach Dr Freda Kemp congratulated their rivals on a good performance, stressing the need to get their centre passes right in their play-off for the bronze medal on Saturday. The Durban crowd seemed to have energised home team the Kingdom Stars, as their drive to return to Division 1 gained momentum with a 53-45 win over North West Tshukudu in the semi-final. They will face the Tornadoes in Saturday's Division 2 final. The Tornadoes beat the Sunbirds 50-44 to book their spot in the final.
