Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in NAIROBI
THE Gems’ hopes of a third consecutive World Cup appearance have been shattered following World Netball’s late decision to hand the tickets to Malawi and Namibia yesterday.
Namibia finished top of Group One in the qualifying challenge while Malawi topped Group Two, both with unbeaten records.
Unlike in previous years, when the top teams in each pool would have automatically qualified for the global showcase provided the already-qualified nations, often South Africa and Uganda, made it to the semi-finals, this time the format was different.
Initially, according to Africa Netball’s format, Malawi were supposed to face Group One’s second-best side Zimbabwe. Namibia played Kenya in winner-takes-all playoffs to decide Africa’s last two slots for Sydney 2027.
However, World Netball yesterday confirmed that there would be no playoffs. Instead, Malawi and Namibia have already booked their tickets to the World Cup by virtue of finishing atop their respective groups.
“Following the conclusion of the Pool stages at the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier – Africa, World Netball (WN) and Africa Netball can confirm that Malawi and Namibia have qualified to be invited by WN to compete at the NWC2027,” reads part of the World Netball statement.
“In accordance with the NWC2027 Qualifier —Africa Competition Regulations, the competition format determines that the top two teams from each Pool advance to Semi-Final and Final matches.”
On the basis of the pool results, the Africa Cup semi-final battle will now see all World Cup-bound sides clashing, with South Africa playing Malawi while Uganda play Namibia.
This development came as a huge heartbreak for Zimbabwe, whose eyes had already been set on today’s play-offs, hoping to overpower Malawi and grab the World Cup ticket.
The Gems had been gearing up for an all-or-nothing showdown this afternoon with more than a ticket on the line.
Qualification would have sealed a third successive World Cup appearance after a historic debut in Liverpool in 2019 and a second consecutive showing in Cape Town in 2023, cementing Zimbabwe’s status among Africa’s elite netball nations. Gems coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki was disappointed.
“We had prepared ourselves to fight for the ticket when the Africa Netball format presented that opportunity,” he said.
“We had planned accordingly and the girls understood what was at stake, so we were braced to redeem ourselves by fighting for the ticket only for us to be disappointed in the 11th hour.
“Our squad this time is very young and we had done much to work on their mental strength because this was more of a cup game so mostly mind games would come into play.
“We had spoken about handling pressure, managing emotions and staying disciplined for sixty minutes but I guess it just was not meant to be.”
The focus, however, must quickly shift. The Gems will now play Kenya.
Mutsauki notes that they have to shift focus and prepare for Kenya while also using the remaining fixtures to give the new-look Gems international exposure and start preparations for the future.
“We cannot dwell on the disappointment,” he said. “We have to pick ourselves up and finish strong. The match against Kenya is important for our ranking, for our confidence and for building this young team,” said Mutsauki.
The Gems will come into the match boosted by a 73-28 drubbing of Tanzania in their last group encounter.
Kenya, on the other hand, are also morally buoyed after beating Zambia to secure second place in Group Two behind Malawi.
