Leemisa Thuseho
NATIONAL Netball League defending champions, Leqele Netball Club displayed an outstanding performance last weekend to continue their unbeaten run in the ongoing campaign.
The Munyaradzi Shanduka coached side beat Maseru City Council (MCC) 51-08 and also went to outplay Leseli Tigers handing them a 39-09 defeat.
The league is divided into two streams and Leqele are in Stream A.
The result saw Leqele staying at the top of the Stream A with 20 points after winning all five games. Second-placed City Eagles are trailing by eight points.
In other Stream A games last weekend, City Eagles beat Mapetla 23-17 before winning 18-21 over Leqele Development.
Leqele Development registered their first win following a 32-08 victory over Thetsane. Thetsane also lost 11-24 to Mapetla.
Leseli Tigers recorded their first win beating MCC 29-19.
In Stream B, First Number are leading the pack with 13 points from three wins, one draw and a loss. The team drew 28-28 with Focus before winning 22-16 and 30-0 over Ntaote Roses and Prince respectively.
Other Stream B matches saw LCS being awarded 30 goals and four points after Prince failed to show up for the match. Phuthiatsana went down 24-03 to Ntaote Roses before losing 44-06 to Focus.
The only men’s category match last weekend saw South Ocean edging Focus 21-20.
Shanduka, who also coaches First Number and Leqele Development, said his mission was to see two of his teams making it to the league’s quarter finals and to see Leqele defend its title.
“Leqele are becoming powerhouse of the local netball and I can assure you that they will definitely finish on top of the log,” Shanduka said.
“As for First Number, who are also on top in Stream B, they can only be challenged by LCS, so they are likely to finish second. We want to defend our title with Leqele.”
Lesotho Netball Association (LNA) secretary general Abiel Lekulo this week said all has gone according to plan since the beginning of the season although some teams are yet to start.
“So far, we are happy with everything. Some teams haven’t started their games but they have been communicating their respective challenges as per the tournament guidelines. Expectation is that they will soon show up to fulfil the fixtures,” Lekulo said.
