Malawi Queens to face South Africa in Netball World Cup qualifiers semi-final – Sports News Malawi

Malawi’s national netball side, the Queens, are gearing up for a mammoth semi-final clash against South Africa in the Netball World Cup 2027 Africa Qualifiers — but only after a dramatic wobble threatened to knock their momentum off course.

The Queens had looked unstoppable, storming through Pool 2 with commanding victories over Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia to book their spot in the last four.

But their unbeaten run came crashing down on Wednesday, as Malawi suffered a nail-biting 54-49 defeat to Uganda — a result that will have sent shockwaves through the camp just days before their biggest test of the tournament.

Despite the setback, the Queens remain firmly in the hunt for one of Africa’s coveted World Cup slots, and attention now turns squarely to their high-stakes semi-final showdown with South Africa.

Captain Takondwa Luwazi insists the team has the resilience to bounce back, revealing the extent of the drama that unfolded during the Uganda clash.

Luwazi admitted her side were left reeling early on, blaming controversial officiating for a nightmare start that saw Malawi plunge into a gaping deficit.

“The umpire frustrated us a lot as we were down by 17 goals in the first quarter, but in the other quarters we managed to encourage each other and narrow the margin. So, we are hopeful to do better in the next assignment,” she said.

With the shock loss to Uganda still fresh, the Queens now face a race against time to regroup and refocus — as they prepare for what could be a defining night against South Africa in their bid for World Cup glory.

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