NCS claim fourth consecutive premier league title

Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) secured its fifth MTC Netball Namibia Premier League title and fourth consecutive championship after defeating Unam Ogongo 42-36 in the final at the Walvis Bay Gymnasium netball courts on Sunday.

The defending champions entered the final after beating Extreme Eagles 48-33 in Saturday’s semi-final, while Unam Ogongo booked their place with a 45-40 victory over NDF Mighty Gunners.

The final started evenly, with the teams locked at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter.

NCS began to pull ahead in the second quarter and took a narrow 19-17 advantage into half-time.

The defending champions maintained their lead after the break, going into the final quarter 30-27 ahead. NCS then outscored Unam Ogongo 12-9 in the last quarter to complete the 42-36 victory.

The result handed NCS a fourth consecutive championship and their fifth league title overall, having previously won in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Unam Ogongo finished the tournament as runners-up.

NDF Mighty Gunners secured third place after defeating Extreme Eagles 44-40 earlier on Sunday.

Extreme Eagles led 16-13 after the first quarter, but Mighty Gunners fought back to take a 22-21 advantage into half-time.

Gunners extended their lead to 33-29 after the third quarter before holding on for the four-goal victory. Extreme Eagles consequently finished fourth.

NamPol claimed fifth position after beating Tigers 38-33, while Tigers finished sixth.

Eastern Chiefs secured seventh place with a 42-38 victory over Afrocat Lions, who finished eighth.

Saturday’s other ranking encounters saw Tigers defeat Afrocat Lions 38-29 and NamPol edge Eastern Chiefs 31-28.

Okamwandi United also recorded a 50-46 victory over Smart Girls, while Wanderers edged Namibian Navy 44-43.

Season's top performers recognised

Individual performances throughout the season were also recognised during the MTC NNPL Awards 2026.

Tigers' Nell Isadore was named team manager of the season, while Unam Ogongo's Tap Sakupaula received the coach of the season award.

Eichab Ambrosuis was named umpire of the season with 56.2%.

Unam Ogongo's Grace Matyayi received the players' choice player of the season award with 68%.

Eastern Chiefs' Hunga Melita was named best defender with 85.3%, while NCS' Monica Gomases received the best midcourt award with 91.7%.

Tigers' Ndahepele Lea was named best shooter of the season with 90.9%.

NCS' Murangi Sunshine received the overall player of the season award with 92.4%, adding an individual accolade to NCS' championship-winning campaign.

Five-year partnership

The conclusion of the season also marked five years of partnership between MTC Namibia and Netball Namibia, with both organisations signalling their intention to continue developing the domestic competition.

Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen said the 2026 season had included changes aimed at strengthening competition, including an expanded Power Week and the introduction of a playoff system featuring semi-finals.

“This season has been one of growth and innovation,” Witbeen said.

She said Netball Namibia wanted to build on the progress made over the past five seasons and ultimately professionalise the sport.

“We want to grow. We want to professionalise. We want to compete. We want to win,” she said, adding that the organisation wanted Namibia to become a stronger force in African and international netball.

Witbeen also pointed to the Desert Jewels’ rise to 14th in the World Netball rankings, saying the national team’s progress reflected the importance of maintaining a strong domestic competition.

“Strong leagues build strong players. Strong players build strong national teams,” she said.

Her remarks followed MTC representative Erasmus Nekundi’s confirmation that the company had renewed its NNPL sponsorship at N$3.4 million per year. He said the increased sponsorship had also enabled an increase in payments to players.

Nekundi said MTC’s continued investment reflected confidence in the direction of the league and called for continued efforts towards professionalisation.

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