Malawi’s reputation as a major netballing country in Africa was thrown into doubt after Malawi Under-21 National Netball team failed to qualify for next year’s Netball World Youth Cup.
Junior Queens finished fifth during the Netball World Youth Cup qualifiers that ended in Botswana on Sunday.
Despite starting impressively during the first two games when they beat Lesotho 81-11 and Namibia 48- 30, the Junior Queens only won once in the preceding five games to bow out of the race.
Unbeaten South Africa finished on top with 14 points whereas Zimbabwe were second with 12 points having lost to South Africa only.
Uganda finished third with 10 points and they lost to the top two teams.
By virtue of being hosts, Botswana have also qualified for next year’s Netball World Youth Cup, joining Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Malawi Under-21 first lost to Zimbabwe 52-23 on Wednesday and they were further humiliated by rivals, South Africa 55-32, on Thursday.
Queens’ title miss was compounded on Friday by losing to Uganda 34-29.
Although they recovered to beat hosts, Botswana 40-38, the Junior Queens’ qualification chances had already been blown away.
On the final day, the Junior Queens lost 35-34 to Zambia.
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