Malawi National Netball Team wait for the Africa Netball Cup glory will extend to 13 years after the Queens lost to Uganda 51-43 in the semifinal at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia on Friday.
The Queens have shifted focus to today’s bronze medal battle against Zimbabwe who stunned Uganda 50-49 in a Pool 2 match.
Under the guidance of Malawi’s highest qualified netball coaches Mary Waya and Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa, a lot of people expected a much improved performance but in the end the result was not pleasant.
The pair picked a formidable squad and the Queens started strongly in the first quarter with shooter Tendai Masamba title decider against Wanderers which they won 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium last Saturday.
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Some soccer analysts have attributed the teams’ dominance due to their huge financial base compared to other 13 TNM Super League teams.
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The three teams have dominated Super League titles having shared 32 titles in the last 38 years. Out of the 32 league titles, Bullets have won 17 titles, followed by Silver on nine and Wanderers on six.
Defunct Escom United won the title two times (2007 and 2010) whereas Kamuzu Barracks won it in 2016.
Defunct MDC United, Admarc Tigers (now Mighty Tigers), Kamuzu Barracks and Civo United won one title each.
Silver, who will officially be crowned champions this afternoon, have ended Bullets’ five-year dominance in the league.
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Before this season, Bullets had won the league in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 under the tutelage of Kalisto Pasuwa.
In an interview on Friday, Silver Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba attributed the team’s success to team work.
“We followed proper governance structures this season. There was separation of powers between stakeholders. Every person was working within his/ her line of duty. For instance, there was no interference from management on technical matters,” Chimimba said.
It is also a similar case at Bullets as game bonuses are increased from time to time despite a fixed K80,000 for a win.
Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga said his side failed to defend due to lack of consistency.
“We have failed to defend the league championship because we have drawn and lost more games in 2023. We generally lost grip as a result of dip in form,” Chigoga said.
Wanderers, who are assured of the runners-up spot with 55 points, also have a similar way of rewarding their players.
Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi said game bonuses are increased when they face top six teams in the league.
“The idea is to motivate the players,” Ndovi said.
Details indicate Wanderers players get K100,000 for a win against top six teams and K80,000 against lowly ranked teams.
The three teams have also dominated cups in the last 38 years as Bullets have won 30 knock-out cups followed by Silver on 18. Wanderers, who last won a trophy in 2022, have 14 cups.
Sports analyst Sherry Msuku said the players need motivation.
“The welfare of the players and technical panel is very crucial to improve the results of the teams,” Msuku said.
Out of the 16 Super League teams, Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos, Civil Service United and Mzuzu City Hammers are some of the teams that have sponsorship. Moyale Barracks, Mafco and Kamuzu Barracks have stable sponsorship.
