By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-One of Malawi’s seasoned netball sides, Tigresses, is facing a financial crisis that threatens the team’s continued participation in the 2026-27 FDH Netball Premier League.
The Blantyre-based giants are struggling to raise funds to meet the team’s basic needs and fulfil league fixtures, with head coach and former Malawi Queens star Peace Chawinga warning that the club could disband if urgent assistance is not secured.
Chawinga told MaraviPost that the financial challenges have affected player attendance at training sessions, leaving the technical panel with limited options when selecting teams for matches.
“Some players are not turning up for training, hence I have limited selection as technical panel. This has led to fatigue amongst the girls because we are using the same players week in, week out,” Chawinga said.
“Our financial status is worrisome and the team may disband anytime soon. We are failing to pay the players and for us to fulfil our fixtures, it’s difficult. We are appealing to the public to rescue us; otherwise, the team will end just like that.”
The financial difficulties have come at a difficult time for Tigresses, who have struggled for consistency in the country’s top-flight league despite having several experienced players in their ranks.
The squad includes national team players such as Tendai Masamba, Shabel Bengo and Jessica Mazengera, who represents the Malawi Queens.
On Saturday, 22 August 2026, Tigresses suffered another heavy defeat, going down 65-38 to Civonets at Civo Netball Court in Lilongwe in a week-four fixture.
The result leaves Tigresses with just one victory from five matches. They have lost to Vanessa Sisters 56-51, defending champions Blue Eagles 45-43 and fellow Blantyre side Kukoma Diamonds 55-49, before registering their only win against newcomers KIA ATLAS, beating them 53-49.
Tigresses currently occupy seventh position with two points from five matches. They have scored 231 goals and conceded 267, leaving them with a goal difference of -36.
Tigresses face another test
With little time to recover from the defeat to Civonets, Tigresses are scheduled to return to action against Lioness at Civo Netball Court in Lilongwe.
The match is scheduled for 14:30 hours on Sunday, 23 August 2026, and will provide another stern test for the struggling Blantyre side as they search for a second victory of the season.
The fixture comes at a time when Chawinga is already concerned about player fatigue and limited selection options because of the club’s financial problems.
Other fixtures scheduled for Sunday at Civo Netball Court are MAFCO Soldiers against Prison Queens at 09:30 hours, Civonets against Pacers at 11:00 hours, Vanessa Sisters against Giants NC at 12:30 hours, and KIA ATLAS against Prison Queens at 15:30 hours.
For Tigresses, the match against Lioness could be another crucial opportunity to halt their poor run and restore confidence among the players and supporters.
Week-four results
Other week-four results played at Civo Netball Court on Saturday saw Vanessa Sisters beat Pacers 42-31, KIA ATLAS lose 40-38 to Giants, Civonets defeat Tigresses 65-38 and Lioness beat Pacers 60-40.
At the top of the 12-team league, Blue Eagles lead on goal aggregate after collecting 11 points, level on points with second-placed Kukoma Diamonds.
For Tigresses, however, the battle is now bigger than results on the court. The club is fighting for the resources needed to keep its players together and remain in Malawi’s top-flight netball league.
With the team’s financial situation described as “worrisome” by its head coach, Tigresses are appealing to the public, well-wishers and potential sponsors to come to their rescue before the club is forced to close its doors.
