Queens in perfect start

Malawi Queens on Sunday started their Cosana Tri-nations series tournament with a 60-22 convincing victory over Namibia at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Sports Complex in Blantyre.

In the first quarter, it was a balanced game as the Queens were not at their best but surprisingly, the quarter ended in their favour as they were leading 10-9.

In the second quarter, the Malawi Queens started coming into the game as they were making a number of intercepts in the wing defence by Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda who plays her trade in United Kingdom and Captain Carol Ngwira.

Attackers Jane Chimaliro and Tendai Masamba were very sharp as they were scoring with long shots and the second quarter ended 28-14 , the hosts leading.

Namibia had to cut off supplies from Masamba for them to frustrate the Queens and Coach Peace Chawinga made the first permutation by taking bringing in Sindi “Sniper” Simtowe for Masamba who started to struggle after tightly marked.

The change bore fruits as the Queens start dominating the game and finding scoring opportunities. The third quarter ended 41-22 in favour of Malawi.

Namibia who are on 22 on rankings made changes in the final quarter by replacing their goal shooter but the change paid nothing as Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and Mtukule Ngwira were rock at the back.

Malawi at the end of the game recorded a whooping 66-22 victory.

Queens Coach, Peace Kaluwa-Chawinga was happy with the results and performance of the team.

“It’s good that we have started well though we came late into the game, they (Namibia) were outplaying us.

“Am happy that after telling the girls, they came back into the game and start playing our usual game,” said Chawinga.

In another game, Namibia also lost 36-48 to the 13th World Ranked Zimbabwe.

Malawi will return in action later today against Zimbabwe.

Chawinga said the Queens are ready for the game.

Malawi Queens who sit 7th on World Ranking are using the tournament for the preparations for 2022 Commonwealth games slated for next months in Birmingham, England.