Kukoma Diamonds have successfully defended their Southern Region One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup title, emerging victorious with a 51-46 win over Tigresses in the final. The match took place at the Blantyre Sports Arena, where 13 teams competed in the regional play-offs. Diamonds' coach, Noel Mussa, expressed his team's delight in retaining the regional honours, vowing to fight hard to win the national crown this year.
The final match was a closely contested affair, with Diamonds leading 16-12 in the first quarter. Their shooters, Idah Mhone and Jessica Mazengera-Sanudi, performed exceptionally well, hardly missing under the loop. At half-time, Diamonds extended their lead to 27-21. However, Tigresses caused a scare in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to three baskets with shooter Tendai Masamba making significant contributions.
Despite the intense competition, Diamonds managed to regain their footing, taking a 38-33 lead at the end of the third quarter. The final quarter was also a see-saw affair, but Diamonds held their nerve to secure a five-basket victory. The team's victory was a testament to their skill and determination, as they looked to build on their performance at the national level.
The Giants Netball Club finished third in the tournament, securing a 47-42 victory over Pacers in the third-place play-off. The second edition of the One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup was launched on Saturday, with sponsors Nico Holdings Limited plc reaffirming their commitment to reviving Malawi's lost netball glory. The tournament aims to promote competition among elite players, talent development, and improvement of technical officials.
Nico Holdings plc head of marketing and customer experience, Taweni Gondwe-Xaba, emphasized the company's holistic approach to supporting netball in Malawi. The company is committed to restoring the Malawi Queens' pride, not only by providing support to the national netball team but also by creating a platform for competition and talent development.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president, Vitumbiko Gubuduza, expressed his gratitude to Nico Group for their support, citing their crucial role in helping the Malawi Queens qualify for the 2027 Netball World Cup. The association also appreciates Nico's sponsorship of the Top 12 Cup, which offers opportunities to identify and nurture up-and-coming talent while promoting financial literacy among participants.
The tournament featured 13 teams, including Kukoma Diamonds, Tigresses, Giants, Pacers, and others. The event was also marked by entertainment from urban musician Piksy and a call from Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman for Nico Group to support the Malawi Queens with a bus to ease their transportation challenges. Nico Group has since increased the tournament's sponsorship from K60 million to K75 million.
Key points
- Kukoma Diamonds won the Southern Region One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup by defeating Tigresses 51-46 in the final.
- The team will now lead their runners-up Tigresses and third-placed Giants Netball Club to the national finals.
- Nico Holdings Limited plc has increased the tournament's sponsorship from K60 million to K75 million.
