By Rahim Abdul
Malawi’s women’s university netball team defeated Zimbabwe 47-39 on Friday to make a winning start to the 2026 Confederation of University and College Sports Association (CUCSA) Games in Gaborone, Botswana.
The match was played at one of the indoor sports venues hosting the regional university games in Gaborone, where teams from Southern Africa are competing in several sporting disciplines.
Zimbabwe made the brighter start and narrowly led 12-11 at the end of the opening quarter after an evenly contested first period.
Malawi responded strongly in the second quarter, improving their shooting accuracy and defensive play to take a slim 24-23 advantage into the halftime break.
The Malawian side continued to dominate after the interval, controlling possession and limiting Zimbabwe’s scoring opportunities.
By the end of the third quarter, Malawi had stretched their lead to 35-30, putting themselves in a strong position heading into the final 15 minutes.
The team maintained its composure in the closing stages, with accurate finishing and disciplined defending helping secure a convincing 47-39 victory.
The result gives Malawi an important boost in the opening stages of the 2026 CUCSA Games as the team aims to challenge for the netball title.
The CUCSA Games bring together university athletes from across Southern Africa, providing a platform for young sportsmen and women to compete at regional level while developing their talents.
Malawi’s winning start will give the squad confidence ahead of its remaining group-stage matches as it looks to build momentum in the tournament in Gaborone.
