Malawi Queens downward spiral continues as they have slumped from position seven to eight on latest World Netball Rankings released on Thursday.
The rankings show that the gap between the Queens and teams ranked below them continues narrowing while that with sides above them is widening.
Wales, who were ninth in 2024, have overtaken the Queens and are now sixth for the first time.
Uganda, who were eighth in 2023 and improved to seventh in 2024, have maintained their positon.
The Queens are now facing a threat from up-and-coming teams such as Tonga (ninth), Scotland (10th)and Trinidad & Tobago (11th), who are all on the rise.
Malawi’s average points have also dropped from 4 408 in 2023, 3 936 in 2024 to 3 365 in 2025.
The Queens’ fate was sealed at the Africa Netball Cup in Namibia in December where they lost to Zimbabwe in third-place play-offs to finish fourth.
Last month, they also had a dismal performance at the four-team Vitality Nations Netball Cup, where they beat Uganda and lost three matches against England, South Africa and Uganda to finish last.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Yamikani Kauma was not available for comment.
However, upon the Queens return from England, NAM in a statement said the performance in UK was encouraging in the team’s rebuilding process.
The statement read in part: “Although the Malawi Queens fell short of their goals, finishing fourth at the Vitality Nations Netball Cup, this tournament has been a valuable learning experience.
“The team has made significant progress and taken important strides forward. Every player gave it their all, and while today’s outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, the hard work and dedication is truly commendable and necessary ingredients to the rebuilding process.”
The latest ranking means the Queens have for the second consecutive year, not qualified for Fast5 Netball Series which features top six teams.
The top five remains the same with Australia maintained their top position while New Zealand are second.
The only change is the ascendance of Jamaica to positon three, displacing England, who are now fourth while South Africa have maintained their fifth spot.
The World Netball World Rankings cover test matches played between the senior teams over 12 months.
