Emeris Ladies` Basketball Team Crowned USSA C-Section Champions And Secures Promotion To B-Section

The Emeris Ladies’ Basketball Team was crowned champions of the University Sports South Africa (USSA) C-Section National Championships after a week-long tournament and the team was promoted to the USSA B-Section for the 2027 season.

The championships, hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand from 29 June to 3 July 2026, brought together seven higher education institutions which included Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University, the University of Zululand, Sol Plaatje University and the University of Mpumalanga.

Mninawa Ndaku (Sport Co-ordinator Emeris Sandton) praised the team's resilience and commitment: "Coming from a difficult 2025 season where we did not win a single match at the USSA Championships, this year was one of redemption. The players embraced a new culture, believed in the process and showed incredible character throughout the tournament".

The transformation followed the team's move to the newly built Emeris Sandton Indoor Sports Centre and the appointment of a caretaker coach in late 2025 which brought fresh energy and belief to the squad.

"Our only defeat of the tournament was against Walter Sisulu University, where we went down 34 - 40. Rather than letting that setback define us, the team used it as motivation to regroup, refocus and to come back stronger. From that point on, we won every remaining fixture, including a 57 - 38 victory over our long-time rivals Sol Plaatje University in the championship final," said Andrew Dreyer (Sport Co-ordinator Emeris Ruimsig).

Several outstanding individual performances contributed to the championship success. Molebogeng Mogajane (second year IIE Bachelor of Accounting Emeris student Ruimsig) was selected for the USSA C-Section All-Star Team, while Scylla Govender (first year IIE Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design student The Vega School Emeris Sandton) was named Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) after an exceptional performance in the championship match. Kerena Leong (third year IIE Bachelor of Laws student Emeris Sandton) earned the Tournament MVP award after consistently delivering outstanding performances throughout the week. “I do not see this as an individual achievement - I owe a lot to my coach for believing in me and recognising my strengths. I also want to thank my teammates, this MVP award belongs to all of us, everyone in the team played a part in making it possible”, highlighted Leong.

Tournament results:

  • Monday, 29 June: Emeris 45 – University of Fort Hare 23 (Win)
  • Monday, 29 June: Emeris 34 – Walter Sisulu University 40 (Loss)
  • Tuesday, 30 June: Emeris 52 – Nelson Mandela University 40 (Win)
  • Wednesday, 1 July: Emeris 53 – University of Mpumalanga 30 (Win)
  • Wednesday, 1 July: Emeris 37 – Sol Plaatje University 12 (Win)
  • Thursday, 2 July: Emeris 50 – University of Zululand 28 (Win)
  • Friday, 3 July (The Final): Emeris 57 – Sol Plaatje University 38 (Win)

With a talented squad, strong leadership and growing momentum, Emeris will now set its sights on competing against the country's strongest university basketball teams next year.