It was purely electric. Stuff made of dedication, hard-work, and patriotism. The country’s pride was at stake. But the nation’s most treasured flag carriers, Malawian national netball did exactly what Queens do. Defend honour of the nation. And that, they did, with extra bravado.
The evergreen prized Malawi Netball national team, popularly known as The Queens on Sunday turned up with determination and zeal to beat sworn-nemesis, Uganda She-Cranes 59-45 in a thrilling match in the four nation Vitality Quadrangle Series held at with a at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England.
The Malawi Queens who on Saturday lost to the host England at the same venue turned the heat on the stubborn Museveni girls, mercilessly whipping them to stamp superiority over them with a 14-basket victory ending the sixth-ranked Uganda’s four-year dominance over the Malawi Queens.
Malawi has since then lost five times, including at the 2024 Africa Netball Championship in Namibia but all changed in Nottingham on Sunday as the fired-up Queens, buoyed by moral support from England-based Malawians and fans from other countries, fought tooth-and-nail every inch of the way to the very end.
After shrugging off some first quarter lethargy in which they trailed 14-12, the Queens came back strong in the second quarter in which they forced their opponents into rear-guard action.
With Tendai Masamba thwarting the Ugandans’ raids and keeping their lanky England-based goal-shooter Mary Cholhok under lock and key, Malawi’s performance was sweet to the eye with their pass-and-move game as the Malawi supporters kept singing and jeering Ipepelele, ipatse moto!
Martin Guga, UK-based Malawian who resides in Leicester, who came to support the team, was all moon and stars after the game: “Uganda has been defeating us since 2019 but we ended that nonsense and we have closed that chapter.
“We must reclaim our spot as Africa’s number one. Let us beat South Africa next.”
Pint-sized Takondwa Lwazi-Chiwaya was also a centre of attraction and joyful marvel to watch as she kept the supply lines open for unstoppable England-based shooter Joyce Mvula, who struggled against Uganda, vehemently kept the baskets flowing.
Joyce Mvula was supreme and was deservedly named player-of-the-match to the agreement of every Jack and Jill in the filled arena .
For a change, the Queens showed that they were back in town and the Ugandans had no ready answer to their impressive display.
At half-time, Malawi led 28-25 and they engaged an extra gear in a third quarter blitz that had the She-Cranes gasping for air.
They stepped up their intensity and passed the ball around with remarkable ease that had their opponents on the back foot.
After the third quarter, they led 42-37 before getting it over and done with without breaking sweat with a convincing 59-45 victory.
The victory was the boost the seventh-ranked Queens needed after losing their first match 62-36 to hosts England’s Vitality Roses who lost to South Africa.
The Nico Group-sponsored Queens’ next match is against South Africa’s Spar Proteas on Saturday in London while Uganda will meet the hosts, England.
In an interview after the match, Malawi Queens coach, Peace Chawinga said: “I am glad we won today against Uganda. It was tough yesterday against England but the girls came back stronger to beat Uganda.
“Many people thought we would lose against Uganda.” We engaged an extra gear and managed a victory. More importantly, I would like to thank our England based Malawians who came full-throttle to give us support and cheered the team from start to finish.”
Malawi Queens fitness trainer, Madano Thepeteya said: “We are happy with the result. The girls worked really hard and they deserve the country’s appreciation because beating Uganda is not easy.
“We did it and we now are focussing on the next game, which is against South Africa next Saturday.”
Malawi Queens co-coach, Mary Waya said:” We are pleased with this victory. We ask Malawians to come and support us in London this weekend as we face South Africa and we believe we can do good.”
“Many people thought we would lose against Uganda.”
Peace Chawinga
Malawi Queens Coach
