Dinosaurs

 Malawi Queens caretaker coach Samuel Kanyenda says it is time to face the harsh reality and

start rebuilding the national netball team gradually.

He said this after the Queens failed to make it into the top six of the World Netball rankings for the first time in two decades following their 57-46 defeat to Uganda on Friday at Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Kanyenda, who doubles as Netball Association of Malawi technical director, said: “I think going forward; we seriously need to start rebuilding because most of the current players won’t be available for the next Netball World Cup as they will be past their prime.

“We have to draft in promising talent and gel it with the current younger players.”

Australia-based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda, who is one of the longest serving members of the squad, agreed with Kanyenda.

She said: “We are getting old; it’s time to plan for the future gradually.

“Mwawi Kumwenda won’t be there forever, neither will Joyce Mvula or Towera [Vinkhumbo].

“Probably NAM can assign senior players like me, Joyce, Carol [Mtukule] and Towera, who have played at top level, to help in spotting and training promising players. It is just food for thought.”

The sixth ranked Queens face Tonga, who are ranked seventh, this morning in a battle for seventh place.

Mwawi says it is a must-win match that could provide some solace.

“We know the chips are down after yesterday’s [Friday] loss, but we need to pick ourselves up and win,” she said.

Australia and England clash in the final today.

England edged New Zealand while Australia stunned Jamaica in the semi-finals yesterday. n—Powered by Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited

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