Malawi U-21 Netters Suffer First Loss at Qualifiers
The rivalry between the two African netball powerhouses lived up to expectations, with South Africa asserting their dominance over the junior Malawian side.
PRETORIA, South Africa— The Malawi Under-21 National Netball team suffered their first defeat at the ongoing Netball World Youth Cup Africa qualifiers on Wednesday, losing 44-19 to rivals South Africa, writes Happy Valirani.
In the thrilling rivalry match at the University of Pretoria's Hillcrest campus, South Africa dominated all four quarters against Malawi.
Malawi coach Christina Nkwanda made one change to her starting lineup, bringing in Relie Banda as goal attacker alongside Stella Matelezi as goal shooter.
However, the host nation took control early, leading 14-4 after the first quarter and 23-8 at halftime. South Africa extended their lead to 33-12 in the third quarter before winning comfortably 44-19.
The defeat was Malawi's first in four games at the qualifiers. South Africa remain top of the seven-team table with 10 points from five matches.
Malawi are second with 6 points from four games, level on points with third-placed Zimbabwe.
Nkwanda's charges face Zambia on Thursday before taking on Zimbabwe on Friday in their bid to secure one of the four qualifying spots for next year's Netball World Youth Cup.
The rivalry between the two African netball powerhouses lived up to expectations, with South Africa asserting their dominance over the junior Malawian side.