Queens earn second victory
Malawi Queens yesterday earned their second victory at the ongoing African Netball Championship in Kampala, Uganda, after thrashing Namibia 61-35 at Lugogo MTN Arena.
The Queens beat defending champions Zimbabwe 55-45 in the opener on Sunday before losing to Uganda on Sunday.
However, it will be a tall order for the national netball team to win the six-team continental showpiece, which is being played on a league format, following their 43-66 defeat by high-flying Uganda’s She Cranes on Monday.
They have to win their remaining games against Zambia this afternoon and Botswana tomorrow to have a realistic chance of taking the ultimate glory.
The Queens also need to hope that Uganda, who have registered a 100 percent winning record after thrashing Botswana 72-29 and Namibia 69-31, stumble by a wide basket margin in their remaining games against Zimbabwe this afternoon and Zambia tomorrow.
Against Namibia in a match monitored on GoTV yesterday, the Queens led 17-10 in the first quarter before extending the tally to 35-19 and 48-31 in the subsequent segments.
The starting line-up comprised shooter Joyce Mvula, goal-attacker Jessica Mazengera-Sanudi, wing-attacker Beatrice Mpinganjira, centre Thandie Galeta-Saenda, wing-defender Juliet Sambo, goal-defender Martha Dambo and goalkeeper Joana Kachilika.
Netball Association of Malawi general secretary Carol Bapu described the victory as a morale booster ahead of this afternoon’s encounter against Zambia.
“It is very encouraging that we are back to our winning ways. We hope we will do the same in our remaining matches so as to salvage the pride we have as Africa’s second positioned team and the world’s number six,” she said. n
