dyton mupawaenda
Sports Reporter
PLATINUM Queens coach Simbarashe Mlambo has attributed their success in the Nedbank Premier Netball League to hard work and determination after claiming their third consecutive title over the weekend.
The Zvishavane-based side has dominated the PNL since its introduction in 2021.
They defended the title as they registered another successful season and Mlambo said it takes a lot of hard work to maintain such consistence.
“I think it takes a lot of hard work and determination. And definitely we pray for these things and maturity is always the key factor to achieving these results, three consecutive wins of the title is really something to write home about. And we feel greatly honoured to have won it for the third time in row.”
Mlambo admitted their campaign this year was not easy as they suffered their first defeat in the league when going down to Ngezi Platinum Queens in the first round of the season.
The first two seasons they won the race without losing a match.
It was also a close contest with GreenFuel, who proved to be a force to reckon with as they finished second with 72 points, just two points behind Platinum Queens, who had 74 points from 38 games.
The two teams clashed in the decider over the weekend and Platinum Queens won 26-23. It was a crucial game for both teams, as they had both lost just one match going into the final games.
“It was a very tricky and difficult bubble this one. We were coming into the bubble with a defeat to Ngezi and playing Ngezi just before the eve of the bubble finale was really something else and at one time they led by seven, eight goals, some-times your composure, your maturity begins to crumble.
“But we held on tight and we managed to just get our turnovers and make sure that we scored those and at the end of the day we won. And that is all that matters.
“And then playing GreenFuel always has that spark about it because of the speed, because of the accuracy that they have as a team and what they have achieved in the past two season.
“Those girls are a marvel to watch and we really talk a lot during training sessions in Zvishavane and when it comes to game day they do the talking. They know what is expected of them, they know how to just get on into the game and try to win as much as possible and that was what we did.
“It was a very long season. It was a very difficult and tricky season. We suffered a loss to Ngezi at Baobab and we also suffered a loss of one of our players, one of our key players, young Sibekezelo (Ncube).
“She was very promising and was showing a lot character and it was very difficult for us . . . And everybody wanted to just show how much they could also win the title and we had to show a lot discipline, a lot of maturity, a lot of composure and calm. So it was a very tricky season,” Mlambo said.
Ngezi Platinum Queens finished on third position.
Online Reporter