NCS eyes final push as netball league moves coastal

The 2026 MTC Netball Namibia Premier League season reaches its climax this weekend, with the final playoffs set to take place at the Walvis Bay Gymnasium.

Defending champions Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) head into the decisive weekend determined to retain their crown, but head coach Teri Tuare expects a fierce battle for the top honours.

NCS, which has established itself as one of the dominant forces in Namibian netball, has won the league four times: in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Tuare said the final weekend would be anything but easy, with the leading teams eager to dethrone the champions.

“I believe that within the top four teams, three are coming hard for us, and that is to be expected. These teams are NDF Mighty Gunners and Unam Ogongo,” Tuare said.

He congratulated all the teams that have worked towards securing their places in the playoffs and said NCS were prepared for whatever challenges awaited them.

“Congratulations are in order for every team that has been and continues to prepare for placements in the final playoffs. We are preparing very hard for every curveball that will be thrown at us. Let’s see each other at the playoffs, and may the best teams claim top honours and be crowned victorious,” he said.

Unam Ogongo head coach Taapopi Sakupaula, meanwhile, made it clear that her team has its sights firmly set on the championship.

“Unam Ogongo will definitely be going for first place. This year alone, the team has proven its capabilities and determination. This weekend gives us one final opportunity to put everything we have worked for into action and solidify our rightful place at the top of the league,” Sakupaula said.

“We have prepared and put in the work, and we believe in what this team is capable of. Now, we leave the rest in God’s hands. Whatever happens, we are proud of the journey, but we are going into these finals believing that first place belongs to Ogongo.”

NCS currently sit comfortably at the top of the log with 121 points from 22 matches, followed by NDF Mighty Gunners on 96 points.

Unam Ogongo occupy third place with 89 points from 22 matches.

With the margins separating the contenders, the playoff weekend promises high-intensity netball as the country’s top teams battle for supremacy.

• -lmupetami@nepc.com.na*

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