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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING their second-place finish in the 2023 Nedbank Premier Netball League season, GreenFuel coach Sibonginkosi Dube believes they gave it their all and they will build on that going forward.
Platinum Queens retained the title for the third consecutive season.
But GreenFuel proved to be a force to reckon with as they fought to the last game of the season. And it was their game against Platinum Queens that was the decider for the title winners as both teams entered the final games of the season having lost a game each.
Dube said despite losing some of their players just after mid-season, they did their best.
“2023 was quite an interesting season for us. But on the other side it was a long season for us.
“We set out to finish in the top two to maintain (from last year). Those goals we achieved and we were toying with the idea of gunning for the championship. We gave it our all but unfortunately we fell short.
“That first half loss to Platinum set us off our path a bit. Then (the) other thing, the exodus of players after mid-season break also set us off.
“But generally it gave the youngsters that remained a chance to step it up . . . So it showed us as a team what we can do and where we are as a team, what we have achieved so far and what we can achieve, what our capabilities are and what our weaknesses are.”
This is the second time they came second, having finished on the same position last year.
They came fourth in the PNL inaugural season, in 2021. Dube said although they missed the title, it gave her an insight of what to work on for next season. “It showed me next season, what I need to work on as a coach. It was a tight contest. We gave Platinum a run for their money, we truly did, we enjoyed the last game. It gave the league something to look forward to, something different and it made the league interesting. “So what I have seen as a coach for next season, I have got to work on composure of my players. We have not mastered the art of being composed when we are leading, composed when we are being led,” said Dube.
The GreenFuel coach is happy that some of her players have made the national team for various assignments including upcoming Kelly Muyambo, who is currently in camp with the Gems ahead of the African Championships to be held between this month and December.
“And this season I have got, right now in camp I have got three players from GreenFuel that are in camp in the senior national team camp. Of note is Kelly Muyambo.
“We haven’t even scratched the surface with her talent, she has made it into the national team after playing less than a year in the Premier Netball League.
“And the fact that we are still managing to bring new players into the national team with every season I think that’s a reason to smile, that’s an achievement we have done. But one of the small wins that will bring the overall wins at the end of the day. “We would have hoped after everything we get the bonus of getting the championship but we are still fighting.
“I think we have given warning shots so far to tell the other teams that we are gunning for that championship, and definitely and certainly we will get it and when we get it we intend to keep it for seasons to come,” Dube said.
Online Reporter