Dar es Salaam — The Africa's top ranked team, Malawi, issued a stern warning to other teams participating in the Tri-Nations Netball Championship after clobbering Lesotho 77-22 at the National Stadium yesterday.

The match started off with highflying Malawi sending a series of shock waves to their opponents who were just smarting from their opening game defeat.

The Malawians chalked up a comfortable 18-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, leaving the tired Sotho in a baffling state.

Before Lesotho's players got the solution to their floundering defence, the Malawians managed to extend their lead to 36-10 in the second quarter.

It was the worst day for Lesotho as their opponents came stronger in the third stage to take the score beyond reach. They notched up 58-15 before adding 19 goals in the final stage.

Lesotho suffered their second defeat in a row after losing 33-19 to Tanzania's Taifa Queens on Monday.

However, their yesterday's defeat did not come as a surprise given the strength of Malawi who warm up for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

South Africa, who are placed sixth in the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) ranking, will also send their troop at the Commonwealth Games slated for India.

However, in their yesterday's first match, their neighbours Namibia managed to force them to a 36-36 draw.

In the second match, South Africa also failed to overpower strong-willed Taifa Queens after drawing 31-31 in a contested duel.

South Africa started with grit and posted a 9-7 lead in the first quarter, but the Queens fought back to lead14-13 in the second stage.

Cheered on by a huge home crowd, the hosts kept up their rhythm to garner 22-20 goals in the third quarter before the South Africans reacted to level the score.

Monica Kessy, Doritha Mbunda and Neema Emanuel spearheaded the national team to obtain a crucial point. Uganda were also too good for their Zambian rivals whom they edged out 39-31 goals.