IS the 2019 Netball World Cup the beginning of a new frontier for African sport?

For the first time in recent history, and possibly since international sports received the attention they deserved, the African continent has four teams filling out places in the top eight spots at the Netball World Cup. Whilst the final finishing positions are yet to be determined, we know South Africa has made the semi-finals and has a shot at overall glory, while the top 10 ranked Malawi and Uganda go head-to-head to stay in contention for fifth. The winner will finish no lower than sixth, whilst newcomers Zimbabwe have become the talking point of the World Cup, making the top eight after three wins and only losing to top six ranked sides on debut. They have to muster a way to beat Jamaica if they want to finish top six, but even a loss will have them playing off for seventh against an African counterpart.

Regardless of how the last weekend of action plays out, no-one can deny that African netball is on the rise. If you look at the continent’s major team sport – Association Football/Soccer – they have had only one nation make the World Cup Quarter Finals (top eight) since the turn of the century, which was Senegal in 2002. That’s both men’s and women’s World Cups with the Senegal men’s team the sole top eight side in the past combined 10 world cups. If you want to compare apples with apples, then four sides in the top eight is a record at the Netball World Cup as well. Speaking of being on the rise, in the space of 16 years, the continent has gone from just the one nation – South Africa – finishing in the top eight in 2003, to two in 2007 and 2011 (South Africa and Malawi) to three in 2015 (South Africa, Malawi and Uganda).

With Zimbabwe joining them in the top eight, it means that the African continent tops its much larger per capita rivals, with Oceania (two), Europe (one) and Americas (one). That means Africa makes up half of the remaining eight sides in the Netball World Cup, a remarkable achievement. Zimbabwe’s fan base has come into the spotlight at the cup, with the constant cheering, singing and dancing throughout Liverpool becoming a memorable moment off the court.

South Africa is symbolic of the rise of its continent’s fortunes, making the semi-finals for the first time from a tougher half of the draw. They had to contend with the ultra-athletic Jamaica, as well as Malawi and Uganda, with a loss to England the only blemish thus far. They have the mammoth tasking of trying to take down the reining champions in Australia, but will at least have the chance of playing off for Bronze even with a loss. We knew Karla Pretorius was world class – considered the top goal defence in the world – but up the other end, Lenize Potgieter deserves the credit of being in the top five shooters in the world, firing off 204 goals from 216 attempts. Bongi Msomi really came into her own earlier this year at the Northern Quad Series, and has continued that form at the World Cup, teaming well with Erin Burger in the midcourt to create attacking plays.

There were some question marks over Malawi heading into the World Cup, with Mwai Kumwenda on the sidelines after being the Player of the Tournament back in 2015. But in her absence, Joyce Mvula has scored 155 goals from 167 attempts, teaming well with Jane Chimaliro (109 from 126). Towera Vinkhumbo has been a revelation for the Queens in defence, picking up 18 intercepts, 13 rebounds and 19 deflections to seriously stake her case as deserving of being in Team of the Tournament. Takondwa Lwazi‘s work at wing attack is equally deserving of praise, racking up 111 goal assists and 197 feeds.

Uganda has risen in the rankings over the past two years to be officially ranked sixth heading into the tournament. They knocked off Malawi last year after qualifying for the World Cup and will be keen to repeat the dose this time around. Peace Proscovia has been a dominant force under the post with 119 goals from 133 attempts, and while Mary Cholock has been impressive in the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL), Vincent Kiwanuka could not put them in the same goal circle given the almost identical similarities in their game. But it has helped Stella Oyella become arguably Uganda’s top player of the tournament in goal attack, scoring 105 goals from 117 attempts, whilst having 50 goal assists and 72 feeds.

Zimbabwe was an unknown quantity coming into the World Cup, but they have certainly announced themselves on the world stage and will be considered a top 10 nation following the international event. They too have had a number of players stand up and impress, led by Felisitus Kwangwa (16 intercepts, eight rebounds and 33 deflections) and Rudo Karume (12 intercepts, five rebounds and 17 deflections) in the defensive goal circle. Joice Takaidza (147 goals from 161 attempts) has been a revelation in attack, whilst Perpetua Siyachitema (78 goal assists, 129 feeds) has been superb in wing attack.

It has been a remarkable journey for the African continent at the 2019 Netball World Cup, and with renewed optimism and future development, we could be seeing sustained success where Africa becomes a strong force across the board and challenges the very best of Europe, Oceania and Americas.