A recent basketball game between Maties and the University of Cape Town (UCT) drew an impressive crowd, according to the coach and players of the Maties men’s basketball team. The game, held at the Coetzenberg Centre on Friday 23 August, saw Maties narrowly defeated with a final score of 61-63.
The Maties men’s basketball team recently played a game against the University of Cape Town on Friday 23 August. Although they put up a strong fight until the end, Maties narrowly lost with a final score of 61-63. PHOTO: Mia Oliver
‘70% occupied’
The Coetzenberg Centre was packed with both Maties and UCT supporters.
“[…] The fact that we’ve occupied 70% of the seats here in Stellenbosch, [is] a bonus for us. It [has] never happened before,” said Masi Ntlali, coach of the Maties men’s basketball team.
The centre consists of 1 750 seats with temporary seating on the floor of 1 250 spaces. This is according to the Stellenbosch University website.
Basketball seems to be growing rapidly, and with a strong team this year, it is set to become a prominent sport in the coming years, said Benson Makenge, player on the Maties men’s team.
The support of fans for Maties basketball in Stellenbosch has seen significant growth over the past year, according to Johnathan Harley, player on the Maties men’s team.
“For me, now in my third year, to have a semi-full stadium [up to] 70% capacity is special. It’s very cool to see everyone come through,” said Harley.
More people are showing up and becoming invested in the game which is beneficial to players and supporters, stated Nthatisi Leloka, a Maties cheerleader.
The Maties supporter turnout for a recent basketball game against the University Cape Town reached an unexpected 70% capacity at the Coetzenburg Centre, said Masi Ntlali, the Maties men’s basketball coach. PHOTO: Mia Oliver
The power of social media
The Maties supporter turnout speaks to the growing support of basketball in Stellenbosch, according to Lukhanyo Nkonzo, the social media manager for Maties basketball.
The social media for Maties basketball has made increasing efforts to spread the culture of the sport, gaining more support, stated Nkonzo. “The chemistry [of the sport] really promotes a family culture and we want to show that to people in our Instagram and let people be a part of that culture,” said Nkonzo.
Bouncing back after the loss
The players and the coach were disappointed by the two-point loss, but see their improved gameplay as a sign of progress. Harley added that, while mistakes were made, it is part of the learning curve, and they will come back stronger.
“The fact that we’ve managed to compete right to the last four seconds and the guys kept on believing that the game is within reach… I couldn’t ask anything more from them,” said Ntlali.