Good to go
Beautiful beaches, iconic mountain ranges , sounds of the waves from the sea and an amazing landscape: Cape Town, also known as the new Seventh Heaven, has it all.
But the Malawi Queens aren’t in South Africa’s port city on a sight-seeing mission, they have set their sights on a top-four finish at the 2023 Netball World Cup and that’s all that matters to them, according to stand-in coach Samuel Kanyenda’s gospel.
The Queens, ranked sixth in the world, start their campaign in Group B against 10th ranked Scotland tonight at the Cape Town International Convention Centre beaming with confidence.
They were an oasis of calm as they went through their paces at the tourney venue yesterday and the coach gave his word that her Queens will meet the target of breaking into the top four.
There was no sign of doubt as he spoke, just sheer belief and confidence.
Kanyenda said: “My belief stems from the determination and fighting spirit displayed by the girls.
“We are very ready. With the way they have performed during preparations, I have no reason to doubt their capabilities.
“They have given me a lot of hope and I believe the top four target is achievable.”
He also said they have left no stone unturned with a blend of match-play training and endurance.
On whether they have analysed Scotland, Kanyenda said: “Oh yes we have. A good side they are. They come hard in the first two quarters, but fizzle out as the game progresses and that will be dealt with because our strength lies in endurance.”
Commenting on the chilly conditions in the port city, the coach said: “It is cold and even colder at night, but we’ll adapt.”
On her part, Australia-based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda-M’bwana said they are “very ready” for Scotland.
She said: “They are a good side and the fact that we are ranked four places above them is no guarantee for our success.
“They have a good number of players who play in the UK top league, so certainly, they are not a side to be underrated.
“But from the way we have trained, we are ready and raring to go. There’s good team spirit and the morale is high among the players.”
Apart from Mwawi, the Queens will look up to New Zealand-based shooter Joyce Mvula-Nyirenda, defender Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda, who is based in the UK, the experience of captain Jane Chimaliro, former England-based centre Takondwa Lwazi and goal attacker Sindi Simtowe-Msowoya.
The Queens’ second match is against third-ranked England’s Roses tomorrow before facing Barbados on Monday.
The Queens have so far beaten Scotland in all their meetings. However, the Scots caused a big scare in their last meeting during the 2018 Commonwealth Games as the Queens narrowly won 51-50.
Scotland coach Tamsin Greenway, they have had a good build-up.
She said: “Obviously, Malawi are up there among the best, but we believe, we’ll give them a good run. We have set our sights on challenging for position five to eight.”
She has included seven players, who have never been to the global showpiece.
Today’s match throws off at 8am.—Story powered by Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited.
