Gangata promises support as Malawi Queens celebrated after sealing World Cup berth

This is the incredible moment Malawi’s netball heroics were celebrated in style after the sensational squad touched down on home soil following a thrilling campaign in Kenya.

​The Queens brought the bronze medal home from the Africa Netball Championship — and, even more importantly, punched their ticket to the upcoming World Cup in dramatic fashion.

​Fans, government ministers, and corporate sponsors packed out the Bingu International Convention Centre on Monday to give the triumphant team the roaring reception they deserved.

​Leading the glittering welcoming party was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata, who lined up alongside bosses from top sponsors Nico Group to shower the players with praise.

​An emotional Gangata pledged full government backing as the team prepares to take on the world’s best on the biggest stage of all.

​”By finishing third in Africa and qualifying for the World Cup, you have shown every young girl what courage can achieve,” Gangata declared to the cheering crowd. “The nation is behind you and will support you. We are all proud of you and expect more!”

​The squad’s heroics were also heavily lauded by Nico Group’s head of marketing Taweni Gondwe-Xaba, who admitted the ladies had delivered a massive payout on the company’s big-money investment.

​”Today is about recognising what you have achieved. You have won a bronze medal and, more importantly, secured a place at the World Cup. This is a great milestone,” Gondwe-Xaba beamed.

​”By qualifying for the World Cup, you have returned the investment. As you know, we are a business entity, and we are satisfied that we are getting returns from the investment.”