Queens Overcome Zimbabwe to go top

The Malawi Netball Team, Queens have recorded two wins out of two games after beating Zimbabwe Netball Team 35-23 on Monday in an ongoing Cosana Tri-nations Series at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, (KUHeS) Sports Complex.

Following the victory, Queens are leading the 3-member Cosana Tri-nations log table with 6 points.

Peace Kaluwa-Chawinga started Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda as a Goalkeeper, Carlo Mtukule as a Goal Defender, Martha Dambo as a Wing Defender, Takondwa Lwazi started as a Center Player, Bridget Kumwenda as a Wing attacker, Jane Chimaliro was a Goal attacker while Tendai Masamba was a Goal Shooter.

The 7th placed World Ranked team, Queens started the game on a high note and they were upfront in the first quarter with 14 baskets over Zimbabwe’s 4.

Zimbabwe Coach sensed danger and made some permutations that helped them to come into game and the scores were 23-12 at Half time in favour of Malawi.

Peace Kaluwa-Chawinga, Coach for the Queens, made changes after noting some shortfalls in her team.

Shooter, Sindi Simtowe was introduced for Tendai Masamba. Shira Dimba was also introduced for Martha Dambo. It was from that time when the Malawi Queens started sitting fire, Zimbabwean girls were failing to catch the pacey and clever Queens.

There was a setback as Mtukule Ngwira sustained an injury and was replaced by Lauren Ngwira.

After the end of third quarter, Queens were upfront with 35 baskets over Zimbabwe’s 17.

Queens had time to go and kneel down to the Netball Association of Malawi President, Carlo Bapu before kicking off the last quarter.

In the final quarter, Queens had just the mission of sealing the victory in style as they managed to score 10 baskets to take the tally to 45 while Zimbabwe scored 6 baskets making it 23 in total.

Former Malawi Netball Team Captain, Mary Waya said Peace Chawinga has some areas that need to be addressed.

She said, “We still have some areas to work on. We did well in the first quarter and I was expecting us to win with more than 50 baskets, but we relaxed.”

Meanwhile, the Junior Queens, Malawi Netball Team Under 19 kicked off the campaign with a thumping 42-33 victory over Namibia Under 19 at the same venue, (KUHeS Sports Complex).

The Queens, however, have no time to rest on their laurels as they are returning into action on Tuesday with tough matches against stubborn Zimbabwe at 10:00am before finishing the tournament at 6:00pm against Namibia.

Queens opened the campaign with a victory over Namibia on Sunday.

Malawi are using the tournament to prepare for the 2022 Commonwealth games slated July this year in Birmingham, England.