By Burnett Munthali

The Malawi National Netball Team, popularly known as the Queens, put up a spirited fight in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 in the United Kingdom. Despite their resilience, they finished at the bottom of the four-team tournament, with their campaign culminating in a bittersweet battle against Uganda. While they secured a hard-fought victory against their African rivals, the overall outcome of the competition was far from what they had hoped for.

The tournament, which featured top-ranked teams, tested the mettle of Malawi’s netballers on an international stage. From the onset, the Queens faced an uphill battle against formidable opponents, including England and New Zealand. Although they displayed moments of brilliance and determination, their overall performance fell short of securing a podium finish.

One of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups was Malawi’s clash with Uganda. The rivalry between the two African sides has grown fierce over the years, with both teams striving to establish regional dominance. In a tightly contested game, the Queens managed to edge out the She Cranes, proving their ability to compete at the highest level. The victory was a moment of pride for the Malawian side, showcasing their tactical discipline and resilience. However, the win was not enough to overturn their struggles in the earlier stages of the competition, leaving them in fourth place overall.

For Malawi, the performance at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 highlighted both strengths and areas needing improvement. The Queens demonstrated remarkable teamwork, agility, and defensive prowess. However, their inconsistencies in attack and difficulties in closing out matches against stronger teams proved to be their undoing. The coaching staff will undoubtedly take key lessons from this experience as they prepare for future international engagements.

Despite finishing at the bottom, the Queens’ victory over Uganda offered a silver lining. It reinforced the idea that Malawi remains a competitive force in African netball and can still challenge the best when they play at their peak. Moving forward, the focus will be on refining their strategies, strengthening their squad depth, and addressing tactical weaknesses to improve their standings in future tournaments.

The Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 may not have ended in triumph for Malawi, but it served as a crucial learning curve. The Queens may have won the battle against Uganda, but their overall campaign reflected the harsh realities of international netball. As they return home, they carry with them not just the disappointment of anchoring the tournament but also the determination to rise again and fight for glory in the next challenge that awaits them.