Eswatini's national netball team may have narrowly missed out on gold, but two of its stars, Nduku 'Spidey' Masangane and Thembinkosi 'Lorch' Matsebula, left the 2026 Africa Netball Cup with major individual honours. The tournament was held in Nairobi, Kenya, and concluded on September 26, 2026. Masangane was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Matsebula was crowned the Best Mid-Court Player. Their achievements provided a highlight for Eswatini after the national side secured a silver medal.
Eswatini's national team, led by coach Jabulani Vilane, produced a spirited display in the final against three-time defending champions South Africa. The match was held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi. Despite taking a lead in the third quarter, Eswatini was unable to withstand a decisive South African fightback in the final quarter, ultimately losing 49-45. This result represented an improvement on the bronze medal secured by Eswatini the previous year.
Masangane played a crucial role in Eswatini's run to the final, particularly in goal attack, while Matsebula's work in the middle of the court helped link the defensive and attacking units. The Eswatini team's silver medal finish and the individual awards for Masangane and Matsebula capped a memorable continental campaign. The team made one change to their starting line-up for the final, bringing in Simanga 'Mgwaja' Vilakati at centre in place of Mandisa Sihlongonyane.
South Africa made a brighter start to the final, taking the opening quarter 14-10 before extending their advantage to 26-21 at half-time. However, Eswatini responded emphatically after the interval, with Masangane and Brandon Dlamini converting pressure into goals. The defensive efforts of Sthabiso Mzileni and Captain Fortune Neves also helped Eswatini dominate the third quarter 15-7.
The decisive turnaround in the match came in the final quarter, when South Africa regained their composure and produced a 16-9 final period to overturn Eswatini's advantage. Despite the defeat, Eswatini's performance was seen as an improvement, and the team's progress was highlighted by their silver medal finish.
The 2026 Africa Netball Cup saw Eswatini push close to winning their first continental title, but ultimately fell short against experienced opponents. The tournament also provided a platform for Eswatini's players to gain recognition, with Masangane and Matsebula's individual awards a testament to their skill and hard work.
Eswatini's national netball team's campaign in the 2026 Africa Netball Cup has been hailed as a success, with the team's silver medal finish and individual awards for Masangane and Matsebula marking a high point for the sport in the country. The team's performance will likely provide motivation for future generations of netball players in Eswatini.
Key points
- Eswatini's Nduku 'Spidey' Masangane was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 Africa Netball Cup.
- Thembinkosi 'Lorch' Matsebula was crowned the Best Mid-Court Player at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup.
- Eswatini's national netball team secured a silver medal at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, narrowly missing out on gold.
