Three CR Teams Reach One Nico Finals

The 2026 One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup national finals have added three more teams to their lineup. Blue Eagles, Civonets, and Mafco secured their spots after impressive performances in the Central Region playoffs, held at Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe City over the weekend. The three teams dominated their matches, showcasing their skills and determination.

In a highly contested match, Blue Eagles defeated rivals Civonets 33-32 to win the Central Region One Nico Top 12 Cup. The game was tied 9-9 at the end of the first quarter, but Eagles gained momentum in the second quarter, with key players Stella Matelezi, Ruth Kaliyenda, and Takondwa Lwazi leading the charge. At halftime, Eagles were leading 18-15, and they extended their lead to 26-22 in the third quarter.

The third-place playoff saw Mafco overcome Vanessa Sisters 46-45, securing their spot in the national finals. This victory, combined with Blue Eagles and Civonets' qualification, brings the total number of teams from the Central Region to three. They will join teams from other regions, including Kukoma Diamonds, Tigresses, and Giants from the Southern Region, and Prison Queens, Airforce Falcons, and Genius from the Eastern Region.

The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has praised Nico Group for promoting netball in the country. According to Susan Mbenjere, a representative of MNCS, the sponsorship has greatly improved the performance of the national team. The organization appreciates the impact of the sponsorship and looks forward to continued support.

Nico Business Development Manager Chimwemwe Mandalazi expressed excitement about the level of competition in the tournament. Mandalazi noted that the tournament has been exciting in all regions and expects entertaining netball in the Northern Region playoffs, scheduled for the coming weekend.

Cecilia Mtukule Bondwe, Treasurer of the Netball Association of Malawi (Nam), also commended Nico for uplifting the standards of netball in Malawi. The organization is grateful for the sponsorship, which has contributed to the growth and development of the sport.

The national finals of the 2026 One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup are set to feature teams from all regions of Malawi. With the Central Region playoffs concluded, attention now turns to the Northern Region playoffs, where more teams will compete for a spot in the finals. The tournament promises to be an exciting and competitive event, showcasing the best of Malawian netball.

Key points

• Blue Eagles, Civonets, and Mafco qualify for 2026 One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup national finals
• The teams secured their spots after impressive performances in the Central Region playoffs
• The national finals will feature teams from all regions of Malawi