Malawi National Netball Team’s beatings at the hands of South Africa’s Spar Proteas continued on Tuesday when they suffered a humiliating 65-35 defeat in the ongoing 2024 Africa Netball Cup in Namibia.
It was a fourth successive defeat for the Queens as they went down to South Africa thrice during the recent Spar International Challenge Netball Series losing by huge margins 68-31, 69-38 and 69-24.
The Queens gave a promising impression on Monday when they whacked Zambia 52-39 but they turned too ordinary yesterday during the Pool 1 match at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Queens joint coaches Mary Waya and Peace Chawinga- Kaluwa maintained the side which started against Zambia but there was no joy.
Malawi gave a false impression in the first quarter when they resisted Spar Proteas attacks, matching the continental heavyweights in different departments but they eventually lost 14-9.
Shooter of the moment Nancy Mwaulambo had an average day in the office while Malawi’s defence was in sixes and sevens failing to contain Spar Proteas. South Africa shooter Elmeré Van Der Berg was unplayable while goalkeeper Nicola Smith made Malawi’s attack miserable. The difference in class started appearing in the second quarter with South Africa opening Malawi at will to lead 33-17 at half time.
At the start of the third quarter, the Queens made a string of changes but they still trailed 51-27 at the end of it. Shooter Tendai Masamba, who had replaced Mwaulambo, had a better game but her efforts were not enough to turn the tie.
Waya said the Queens had a lot of turnovers while Vinkhumbo said the players gave themselves pressure.
South Africa top pool 1 with four points whereas the Queens have two.
The Queens will meet Kenya tomorrow in a must win game to boost chances of reaching the semifinals.
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