By Sheminah Nkhoma
Malawi Queens finished fourth at the African Netball Cup after suffering a 48 44 defeat to Zimbabwe in the third place playoff played at Griffin Saeda Sports Complex in Lilongwe on Sunday.
The loss denied the hosts a bronze medal on home soil and confirmed Zimbabwe as third placed finishers in the continental tournament, bringing disappointment to fans who turned out in large numbers to support the national team.
“The teams were level at 25 25 at half time before Zimbabwe took control in the later quarters,” said match officials.
Malawi Queens matched Zimbabwe in the opening half, showing strong resistance and composure, but struggled to contain their opponents in the third and fourth quarters where Zimbabwe capitalised on key chances to secure the win.
The defeat came a day after Malawi lost 46 33 to Uganda on December 13, 2025, a result that ended the Queens’ hopes of reaching the final and shifted focus to the third place playoff.
It was a challenging period for the team, which entered the tournament with high expectations, especially after earning the right to host the competition in front of a home crowd.
Netball fans packed the Griffin Saeda Sports Complex over the two days, rallying behind the Queens with hopes of a podium finish, but ultimately witnessed the title challenge fall short.
Despite the setback, the team showed moments of resilience and competitiveness against top African sides, reflecting the growing standard of netball on the continent.
In the final match of the tournament, South Africa’s Spar Proteas are set to face Uganda’s She Cranes at the same venue to determine the African Netball Cup champions.
The tournament has drawn strong local and regional interest, highlighting Malawi’s capacity to host major sporting events and the continued passion for netball among local supporters.
