FDH Premier Netball League leaders Blue Eagles and second-placed Kukoma Diamonds clash this afternoon in a potential title decider at Civo Stadium Netball Court in Lilongwe.
A win for Eagles could see the Lilongwe-based Malawi Police Service team seal the title with a game to spare while a victory for Blantyre-based Diamonds could cut Eagles’ lead to a single point and wait for the final day fixtures to decide the champions.
Currently, Eagles are at the summit of the 12-team league with 40 points from 20-straight wins, four points ahead of second-placed Diamonds.
In the first round, Eagles beat Diamonds 58-40 away and the team’s coach Madano Tepetheya said in an interview yesterday that they are determined to seal the title before the final day of action.
“It is our desire to win this inaugural national netball league title without a loss and we will get into Tuesday’s [today] battle with all guns blazing. We know Diamonds will come hard on us, but our determination outweighs the challenges we might face along the way,” he said.
But Diamonds coach Noel Mussa believes his charges are going to carry the day as they also have a score to settle and they do not want to continue playing second-fiddle to the Capital City giants.
“Winning this match will not only help us to keep title chances alive but also restore our pride as netball heavyweights in the land. We will fight tooth and nail to register victory,” he said.
Eagles will bank their hopes in the likes of Takonfwa Lwazi, Aisha Gama, Thoko Makunganya and Patrocia Moyo while Diamonds arsenal include Brodget Kumwenda, Jessica Mazengera Sanudi and Aida Mhone.
The league’s organising committee chairperson Tadala Billie, who is also Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) vice-president, said the inaugural season will conclude this weekend at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Sports Complex in Blantyre with five games on Saturday and three matches on Sunday.
