Malawi National Netball Team’s determination to rebuild will take centre stage again today when they face unbeaten South Africa in the ongoing Quad Series in the United Kingdom.
A win for the Queens would give them a chance to finish in the top two of the Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025.
However, defeat at Copper Box Arena in London would leave Malawi competing for position three and four in play-offs at the same venue Sunday.
South Africa have been in scintillating form thrashing Uganda 70-45 and edging out hosts England 61-59, to remain with a perfect record in the four nations tournament.
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On the other hand, the Queens started slowly after they lost to the Roses of England 62-36 before recovering to beat Uganda 59-45.
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Leeds Rhinos shooter Joyce Mvula was in superb form when the Queens beat Uganda whereas goal-attack Ethel Ng’ambi, centre court Takondwa Lwazi and improvised goalkeeper Tendai Masamba were equally outstanding.
However, the Queens’ defence needs to be disciplined not to give away possession needlessly and avoid penalties.
Malawi nearly paid for suspensions against Uganda as Masamba and captain Towera Vinkhumbo were penalised for two minutes each at different quarters for contacts [fouls].
Currently, South Africa will go into the game as favourites as they are already assured of the final place having won two successive games.
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The Queens and England’s Roses have won and lost a game each.
Spar Proteas of South Africa are unbeaten against the Queens in seven successive games and most recent victories were in October and November during the Spar Test Series Challenge and Africa Netball Cup.
During the Spar Test Series, the Queens lost 68-31, 69-38 and 69-24. At the Africa Netball Cup in Namibia, the Queens went down 65-35.
In-form shooter Mvula missed the four games and all eyes will be on her if she will be at the top of her game to help the Queens salvage reputation.
Soon after the Queens beat Uganda, Malawi co-coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa told the media that they had shifted their focus to the upcoming fixture.
“We are taking each game as it comes. We cannot be looking to Uganda when our next game is against South Africa. We have switched our minds to the next game.
“We know that South Africa plays similar to England and we will study them to come up with a better strategy,” Chawinga- Kaluwa was quoted.
South Africa Coach Jenny van Dyk, speaking to Sabcsport.com, was excited with her team’s run and promised to put extra effort against the Queens.
“So, I am just so proud of the team and proud of the unity and the trust and the consistency that they have brought to this game, definitely a game we will remember forever but the work is not done.
“We have to still play Malawi and we have to still play in the finals, against whoever will be in the finals. To us, it is about making sure that we set up our players to succeed there as well, so the work is far from done,” she was quoted as saying.
In another match, England will meet Uganda.
