The final day of the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Africa Regional Qualifiers in Tshwane started off with a match between Namibia taking on Kenya for fifth/sixth play-off. Namibia came into Saturday’s match with two wins while Kenya had one. When the two nations met on Thursday, they played to a 43-43 stalemate but this time Kenya came out on top 50-42.
The second match which was third/fourth play-off was between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The winner of this match would secure a spot in Gibraltar next year. Both teams came into this match with equal number of wins, loss and points and they were only separated by goal difference.
The two teams understood the task ahead of them and what was at stake. Both teams went hard at each from the first whistle and towards the end of the match, it looked highly possible that the match would go into extra-time because for the better part of the last quarter the teams were tied, however it was Zambia who clinched third-place, winning 43-41.
Hosts South Africa took on Malawi in the final match of the tournament with Malawi recording five wins in six matches and Baby SPAR Proteas yet to lose a match.
The last time these two nations met in the week, it was the home side who walked away as victors so Malawi had revenge on their minds while South Africa wanted to end the tournament unblemished.
The match was quite a physical one from the Malawian team who used their height and physique against the home side – this did not deter South Africa or the home crowd.
At the end of the first quarter, the Proteas enjoyed a seven-point lead (12-5), however Malawi turned up the heat in the second quarter of the match and they were able to take the quarter 9-8, ending the first half with an overall score of 20-14 to the Proteas.
The championship quarter was going to the one that separates the two teams – with every second tickling off the clock, the Proteas dug deep and with discipline and precision they clinched it 12-5, ending the quarter 32-19 ahead.
South Africa enjoyed a numerical advantage in the final quarter after Malawi’s goalkeeper Shabel Bengo got herself sent off after a dangerous hit on Renezia Andrews. South Africa used their numerical advantage wisely as they piled the goals and made sure that they won the match 45-26.
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