THE NI Warriors closed out their Celtic Cup campaign with a thrilling contest against Namibia’s Desert Jewels at the Emirates Arena, delivering an edge-of-the-seat performance that showcased their resilience and potential on the international stage.
In a match where every ball was fiercely contested, Namibia started strongly, taking an early lead with an 11–7 advantage at the first quarter and extending it to 25–18 by halftime.
But the Warriors roared back in the third quarter with an outstanding 12–4 run, flipping the scoreline to 30–29 in their favour and forcing Namibia into multiple tactical changes.
The final quarter was a tense, disjointed battle as Namibia regained control to secure a 43–39 victory.
Despite the result, the NI Warriors demonstrated grit, spirit, and determination throughout, proving they can challenge world-class opposition.
Head Coach Sheonah Forbes praised the squad’s effort, saying: “This team showed exactly what they’re capable of. That third-quarter performance was exceptional and reflects the progress we’re making as we build towards the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026.”
The Celtic Cup concludes today (Sunday) marking an invaluable experience for the NI Warriors.
Back-to-back matches against elite teams have provided the exposure and learning opportunities essential for their journey toward the Commonwealth Games.
Final Score: Namibia Desert Jewels 43 – NI Warriors 39
Quarter Breakdown: Q1: Namibia 11 – NI 7
HT: Namibia 25 – NI 18
Q3: Namibia 29 – NI 30
Full Time: Namibia 43 – NI 39
