By Llywellenie Mpasa:
Kukoma Diamonds have cemented their dominance in Southern Region netball after overcoming arch-rivals Tigresses 27-23 in a gripping final to win the Southern Region One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup playoffs at Blantyre Sports Arena on Sunday.
The high-octane showdown, played in front of a vocal crowd, delivered exactly what fans expected—a fierce contest between two of Blantyre’s netball giants.
Known for their trademark defensive discipline and precision in front of goal, Diamonds held their nerve under intense pressure to clinch the K1 million top prize and stamp their authority as the team to beat.
Diamonds Coach Noel Musa hailed his side’s determination and execution.
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“I am proud of the girls. They played their hearts out and stuck to the game plan. This win means a lot to us as a team. We wanted to make a statement and we have done that,” Musa said.
Tigresses Coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua pointed to exhaustion as the reason behind her side’s narrow defeat.
“My girls gave it their all, but they were clearly worn out. Fatigue got the better of us and that affected our sharpness in key moments,” she said.
Despite the loss, Tigresses still qualified for the national phase of the tournament by reaching the final.
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They joined Diamonds and Blantyre Tremors, who claimed the third qualification slot after a hard-fought 28-24 victory over Shizaella in the third-place playoff.
Nico Holdings Corporate Affairs Manager, Mbumba Mlia Ndasauka, said the firm was impressed with the level of talent on display.
“It is refreshing to witness such top-tier talent from the Southern Region. This is what we envisioned when we launched the One Nico Top 12 Cup, to provide a platform for our netball stars to shine,” Ndasauka said.
Next up are the Eastern Region playoffs, followed by Central and Northern regions, where three teams from each zone will qualify for the national phase.
The final 12 teams will compete in a national showdown, culminating in a grand finale in Lilongwe.
