Malawi Queens yesterday punched above their weight, but went down fighting against holders South Africa in their second Africa Netball Cup Pool 1 match last evening at the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex in Lilongwe.
It has been a rocky ride for the Malawi National Netball Team against their continental rivals whom they last beat at the 2015 Netball World Cup, a decade to be precise, and yesterday’s defeat was their eighth on the trot against the top-ranked African side.
But despite the 20-basket margin loss, it was not all doom-and-gloom for the hosts as some Under-21 national team graduates, in particular one Florence Jeke, who was named One Nico player-of-the-match, turned on a stellar show that charmed the fans.
Her combination with Stella Meterazi in attack was a wonder to behold. Wing defender Aisha Gama also stood out in what could herald a bright new dawn for Malawi netball.
mode during the match.
I Kelly Livimbo
Nevertheless, the gap between the two teams was vast with the South Africa duo of Elmere Van der Berg and Kamoglo Maseko proving a handful for the hosts in defence.
In an interview after the match, Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua hailed the fighting spirit of her charges.
“The girls took time to settle, especially in the first quarter and the turnovers also cost us dearly, but overall, I am impressed with the performance of the girls today, especially the little ones and I am proud of them,” she said.
Her South African counterpart Jenny Van Dyk said: “What a brilliant match! The scoreline d not a true reflection of the match, it was tight game, but I think consistency worked for us.”
Malawi, who are second in the pool with two points from two matches, can seal their qualification if they beat Tanzania today in their last group match.
South Africa led 14-6 in the first quarter and were 28-19 up at half-time. At the end of the third quarter, the Spar Proteas led 40-29.
Meanwhile, the men’s team, the Kings got to off to a bad start after a narrow 44-42 loss to Eswatini earlier on.
But despite the setback, Malawi men’s team coac Franklyn Kumtendere said they are still hopefull of making it to the semis.
