LIMPOPO – The Mopani District u/19 netball team delivered a strong performance at the 2025 Telkom National Netball Championships, held from July 7 to 11 at Hoërskool D.F. Malan in Cape Town.

Representing Limpopo, the team secured seventh place overall in a highly competitive national field.

The 12-player squad, comprising players from clubs such as NCR, Bokhalva, Matjetje, Mighty Queens, and NSS, was drawn together from across the Mopani District.

Players hailed from Greater Tzaneen, Ba-Phalaborwa, Maruleng, and Greater Letaba municipalities. Representing Greater Tzaneen were Zenya Engelbrecht, Hillmari Kruger, Dimpho Mametja, Joey Mhlongo, and Allysia Venter. Ba-Phalaborwa contributed Tshegofatso Maditsi and Xiluva Zitha, while Sefura Mabusa and Margret Masete came from Maruleng. The Greater Letaba players were Rose Mamorobela, Nobohle Morwatshehla, and Vhutshilo Mauqapheetja.

The technical team included head coach Edwina Mlondobozi, assistant coach Cathrine Mashale, team manager Pontsho Morwatshehla, scorer and timekeeper Taola Shai, and umpire Difference Ndlovu.

Mopani began their campaign with three consecutive wins, narrowly edging out Ehlanzeni 30–29, defeating Uthukela 41–24, and overpowering Eden 47–12.

Although they suffered a 41–30 loss to Amajuba, they bounced back with a dominant 48–20 victory over Lejweleputswa.

These results earned them second place in Group B, with four wins from five matches and a total of eight points.

Mlondobozi praised the players’ growth throughout the tournament, noting that the team had improved significantly with each game and were playing with growing confidence and belief.

In the knockout stage, Mopani faced a tough opponent in Cape Town, the top team from Group A, and lost 51–27.

They were then drawn against Amajuba for a playoff rematch, which turned into a tightly contested match but ended 37–35 in Amajuba’s favour.

Mopani closed out the tournament on a high note with a solid 32–23 win against eThekwini B, securing a commendable seventh-place finish.