The Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has admitted that the Queens performed below the expected standards during the just-ended 2025 Africa Netball Cup in Lilongwe.
This comes after the Queens finished out of the top three for the second consecutive time at a continental showpiece following a 48-44 loss to lowly-ranked Zimbabwe’s Gemz at Griffin Saenda Sports Complex on Sunday.
In an interview yesterday, Nam General Secretary Yamikani Kauma said the performance of the team was not satisfactory.
“We are concerned with the performance of the team. We expected the team to do better. These are rankings’ matches; so, the results will have a big impact on our position,” Kauma said.
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It was Malawi’s second consecutive loss to Zimbabwe in a third-place play-off, having lost 48-42 to Zimbabwe at the Africa Namibia Netball Cup , last year in Swakopmund,
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The Queens are ranked eighth in the world and third in Africa, behind South Africa’s Spar Proteas and Uganda’s She Cranes.
However, following their recent poor showing, the Queens could drop further on the rankings.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are on position 12 on the world netball rankings.
Kauma said the technical panel report would determine the way forward.
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Despite the team’s poor showing, Kauma said there were some positives.
“We have a good team and the rebuilding exercise is on track. Some of the youngsters impressed during the tournament,” she said.
On her part, Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua rued missed chances against Zimbabwe.
She was quick to say she was pleased with the performance of youngsters such as Florence Jeke and Stella Matelezi.
“The youngsters just need to encourage themselves. They need to handle pressure in critical moments,” she said.
The Queens registered two wins—Botswana 46-42 and Tanzania 55-34—but lost three matches to South Africa 58-38, Uganda 46-33 and Zimbabwe 48-44.
Some of the fans who watched the matches said the Queens’ performance was a cause for worry.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said the loss to Zimbabwe was a wake-up call for the team.
“The Queens need to pull up their socks,” he said.
Meanwhile, Local Organising Committee Chairperson Limbani Matola has described the tournament as a success.
“For the first time, the fans paid to watch the matches, which has not been the case previously. There are so many areas we can point at,” he said.
South Africa successfully retained the title after beating Uganda 56-34.
Zimbabwe finished third.
