National Sports

Blue Eagles Sisters retain Gateway Netball challenge

 

Blue Eagles Sisters on Saturday retained the K25 million Gateway Netball Challenge Cup after beating Civonets 44-39 in the final played at Gateway Mall Court in Lilongwe.

This is the repeat of the last year’s final when the two teams also met.

The game started on a balanced note and they tied 11-11 at the end of the first quarter.

However, Eagles with inspired by up and coming goal shooter Mary Banya, who posted most baskets, started showing supremacy as they conquered second and third quarters 22-20 and 35-28 respectively.

Blue Eagles Sisters players and officials pose with their
medals, trophy and a symbolic cheque

To reach the finals Eagles beat Green Sisters 42-22 while Civonets ousted Mafco Soldiers 30-16 in semi-finals respectively.

Eagles official Cecila Mtukule Gondwe praised the players for the victory and attributed it to hard working.

“Civonets came to dent our image but the players gave it all. The whole tournament was tough and this year teams have improved a lot,” said Bondwe.

Civonets coach White Mulilima had positive eye from the defeat.

“We are building a team and in the process we have identified young players one of them is shooter Cynthia Nkhunga, a 15-year-old girl who was brilliant,” said Mulilima.

Champions Eagles received a trophy and K2 million while Civonest received K1.5 million. Mafco Soldiers finished third after beating Green Sisters and went away with K1m million.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Khungikire Matiya hailed Mpico Group Company for supporting netball through the Gateway netball Challenge Cup.

In Individual awards, Civonets’ Cynthia Khunga scooped the Best Shooter award while Funny Mwale of Mafco was voted as Best Defender. Blue Eagles Takondwa Lwazi and Green Sisters Judith Chikoka were voted as Best Centre and Player of the tournament respectively. The awardees went away with K50 000 each. During prize presentation, Mpico managing director Daniel Kafoteka promised to continue sponsoring the tournament. n

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