The Africa Regional Qualifiers for the 2023 Netball World Cup reached their final day on Saturday at University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall. There were four teams left competing on the final day for remaining two spots at next year’s global showpiece.
South Africa who has already qualified were playing in the finals against Malawi, but before then Zambia and Zimbabwe were to battle it out for the last remaining spot. Malawi who was facing the SPAR Proteas in the final match of the tournament had already secured their seat at the 2023 Netball World Cup table.
Zambia and Zimbabwe started of the day like a house on fire and gave everyone a hotly contested match as only one of them could secure the last available slot for the World Cup. At the start of the day South Africa, Malawi and Uganda were already through to the World Cup that will be taking place in Cape Town come 2023. Zimbabwe beat Zambia 59 – 41 in the 3rd/4th playoff match to become the fourth African team to qualify for the 2023 Netball World Cup. SPAR Proteas and Malawi met at the penultimate match of the tournament, and this was a very mouth-watering match. SPAR Proteas continued a path that they have been on this whole, they have been unbeaten thus far. In the final match it was South Africa who came out on tops winning the match 60 – 44 and Phumza Maweni earned herself Player of the Match accolade.
Bongi Msomi, SPAR Proteas captain said that the tournament was a great win for her team. “It was a great win especially after the disappointment of Commonwealth games. It was a positive turnaround after returning from Birmingham. Now we can regroup and get ready for the SPAR Challenge later this year and Quad Series early next year both on home soil.”
SPAR Proteas head coach, Dorette Badenhorst said that she was very happy her team defended their African title for the third time. “The players really showed character and a lot of milestones were reached throughout the week. After a shaky start we ended very strong and lots of positives will be taken from the win. I am very proud of the players and their efforts.”
The four teams that have qualified and are set to carry Africa’s hope at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town are: South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.