Queens dethroned as Africa netball champs

Malawi Queens had their hands on the crown only to lose it in the final minute to South Africa by 52-54 baskets today in the Africa Netball Championship final.

The Queens failed to deliver when it mattered most and within a minute before the final whistle they conceded 3 baskets for South Africa to level 44-44 and earn the much needed extra game time.

The Spar Proteas jumped at the chance of extra time like a wounded buffalo scoring basket after basket to lead Malawi 45-49 within two minutes after threw off.

But the steam had died down for the Malawi Queens and visibly shaken Tina Kamzati had to be substituted after breakdown in tears.

Playing blind by South Africa’s lightening speed, defending, and scoring the Queens misplaced pass after pass to the delight of the Proteas.

By the end of the added seven minutes of the extra-time the damage had been done, Malawi walked off the court losers in their own backyard.

South African coach Elize Kotze told Nation Online after the game that she thought she had lost it when she had made a few changes to her side.

“I was really thinking of making substitutions when we were trailing, but the team managed to cope well and we managed to overcome Malawi,” she said.

But her counterpart and Queens co-coach Mary Waya could not help her disappointment with the loss.

Waya had earlier told Nation Online that her aim as member of the Queens coaching panel was to defend the crown.

Renewed rivalry

Malawi and South Africa netball teams do not see each other eye to eye, and both teams walked into the final for a final kill.

The setting for final could not have been better with Malawians coming out in large numbers to watch their beloved Queens triumph over old rivals the Spar Proteas.

The Queens had defeated Uganda’s She Cranes 55-46 earlier in the day and morale was high in the Malawi camp whereas the Spar Proteas eased past Zambia 66-48 in another semifinal for pool B to make the final cut.

Any match against South Africa is a real test for the Queens as Protea’s strength lies in their quick passing game.

The South Africans are also tactical, tall and sharp shooters.

Since throwing off the tournament on Monday, Malawi Queens main concern has been defending, but coaching assistant Mary Waya told Nation Online before the final that they had tightened up all the loose ends.

“We have made sure the defenders leave no room for South Africa to manoeuvre, all bolts and nuts have been tightened, because that was our main worry,” said Waya.

Losing it

Malawi lost it in the dying minutes when Joyce Mvula and Sindi Simutowe could not deliver the final punch.

Mvula looked ragged and out of play while Simutowe missed what could have been winning baskets.

The coaching panel looked nervous and co-coach Peace Chawinga could be seen punching in the air in disbelief every time the umpire blew the whistle against Malawi for a foul.

As time ticked off, it was clear Malawi could not recover.

The eight-member competition threw off on Monday and has ended today (Friday) with South Africa crowned African netball champions.