There were electrifying sights yesterday as the 2025 Africa Netball Cup threw off with a colourful ceremony at the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex in Lilongwe.
Cultural performances showcasing diverse traditional dances from different ethnic groups spiced up the event.
And when urban music artist Eli Njuchi took to the court to set the mood for the Malawi Queens’ opening match against Botswana in a Pool 1 match, the mood was electric.
He fished some of his top hits as the crowd sung along.
To spice it up, the Queens beat Botswana 46-42 in a tight contest that shredded the nerves of the turnout and set the tone for their campaign.
The Queens narrowly trailed 10-11 in the first quarter, but the tide changed in the second quarter as, buoyed by captain Takondwa Lwazi, who was named Nico Group Player of the Match, the Queens stepped up the tempo and led 24-21 at half-time.
In an interview after the match, Queens’ coach Peace Chawinga- Kaluwa admitted that despite the win, her charges did not play as expected.
“We were unable to complete passes. We also had a number of debutants, so maybe they were not comfortable with
the crowd. We also need to work on court awareness,” she said.
The Queens face Africa’s highest ranked team South Africa in their second Pool 1 match this evening from 7pm.
Dignitaries at the opening ceremony included Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskies, who was the guest of honour, the ministry’s Principal Secretary Jameson Ndalama, Africa Netball president Rebecca Gôagoses, Malawi National Council of Sports acting chief executive officer Ivy Chinangwa and Netball Association of Malawi president Vitumbiko Gubuduza.
This year’s edition includes the men’s category as the sport embraces gender balance.
In her speech, Wiskies said Malawi is proud to host the continental event.
“This is a historical moment for Malawi. We express our deepest gratitude to Africa Netball for allowing us to host the tournament. It demonstrates your confidence in us that we have the capabilities to host such a prestigious tournament,” she said.
“To the teams, I want all of you to enjoy the hospitality of Malawi.”
President Peter Mutharika and First Lady Getrude, who are away in South Africa, also issued a timely message of best wishes to the Queens hours before the match.
Part of a post on his Facebook page reads: “As the Malawi Women’s and Men’s National Netball Teams take to the court today in the Africa Netball Championship, hosted proudly on our home soil, the First Lady and I extend our heartfelt best wishes to both teams.
“We have full confidence in their capabilities. Time and again, they have shown that they can stand tall against the very best on the continent.”
In her welcoming speech, Gubuduza said the theme ‘Unite, build, rise’ resonates well with how the sport is growing in Africa.
“When Africa unites, it is a force that no one can stop. To the countries that have sent their teams, we say thank you for trusting Malawi with the tournament. To various sponsors, your investment in the sport is changing lives,” she said.
Gôagoses said the games are about celebrating the African spirit.
“To celebrate the stretch and resilient of Africa. These games remind us that unity is the way forward. Africa is one and together we can achieve a lot,” she said.
“We are here at the games to build opportunities for our athletes. Let Africa rise.”
In other games, South Africa Women beat Tanzania 104-25, Zimbabwe saw-off Namibia 48-36, South Africa men’s side beat Botswana 59-38.
