Vanessa Sisters have made history by winning the first-ever Mukuru Under-21 National Netball Cup, defeating Lilongwe rivals Young Eagles 48-35 in a final played at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Sports Complex Sunday.
The Lilongwe teams battled not only for national glory but also for a share of the K60 million prize pool, with Vanessa taking home K5 million after their victory.
Captain Esnarah Manda said the victory was a result of coordination, unity and determination.
“We believed in ourselves from the start. Every player gave their all and this title means a lot to us as a team,” she said.
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The champions’ path to glory was marked by dominant performances.
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Vanessa swept aside Prison Sisters 62-22 in the quarter-finals and edged Kukoma Babies 46–37 in the semi-finals while the Eagles reached the final after victories over Giants Reserve (41–35) and Tiga Cubs (34–28).
Kukoma Babies claimed third place with a 43–35 win over Tiga Cubs, earning K2 million.
Sheila Ngoma of Vanessa was named Player of the Match while Mphatso Banda was voted MVP.
Other individual awards included Best Defender Sophie Banda (Kukoma Babies), Best Mid-Court Mphatso Banda (Vanessa Reserve), Best Shooter Sheila Nkhoma and Best Developmental Team Lydia Academy.
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Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) President Vitumbiko Gubuduza said the tournament was a crucial platform for talent identification and development for the Malawi Under-21 National Netball Team, the junior Queens.
“We have scouted at least 30 players who could be featured in the Under-21 national team that would participate in the Telecom league in South Africa from April this year,” she said.
The tournament featured 12 teams who qualified through regional playoffs, including representatives of the Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern regions.
Malawi National Council of Sports Board Member Escort Chinula, who was the guest of honour, said the tournament was in line with efforts of the council on the development of netball.
“Events like this provide young players with a platform to showcase their talent and prepare for national and international competitions,” he said
The championship is part of Mukuru’s landmark three-year sponsorship of Malawi’s Under-21 netball, with K165 million annually supporting the junior Queens and K60 million dedicated to the Under-21 national league.
Mukuru Malawi Country Manager Pride Chiwaya said the sponsorship aimed to empower young women while strengthening both grassroots and elite netball development in Malawi.
“We are committed to supporting the junior Queens and the Under-21 national league, helping to build a strong pipeline of talent for the future,” he said.
Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman commended Nam for its role in developing young talent, marking the Mukuru Under-21 National Netball League as a milestone in Malawian sports.
