Queens beat Fiji in friendly match
Malawi Queens on Monday beat Fiji 60-49 in their first warm-up match ahead of the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
The 11-basket margin win is an improvement for the world’s sixth-ranked Queens against their 19th ranked opponents as they registered a seven-basket victory in a 54-47 triumph at the recent PacificAus Netball Series in Australia.
Queens have beaten Fiji in their previous six encounters, but the win at the PacificAus Series is so far their narrowest.
However, Malawi should expect a tougher match this morning as they face world champions and world’s second-ranked New Zealand in their final warm-up clash.
Yesterday, the Queens led 21-9 in the first quarter before increasing the tally to 36-25 at half-time break.
However, they were in buoyant mood in the third quarter as they posted a14-basket lead at 50-36.
Queens’ stand-in coach Samuel Kanyenda’s first line-up had Joyce Mvula and Jane Chimaliro under the loop while Takondwa Lwazi was the wing-attacker and Thandi Galeta the centre-court player.
In defence, Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango pulled the strings on the wings, Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda played as goal-defender and Laureen Ngwira was the goalkeeper.
Australia-based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda was the substitute alongside goal-attacker Sindi Simtowe-Msowoya and defenders Martha Dambo, Madalitso Mkandawire and Shabel Bengo.
Said Kanyenda after the game: “I am happy with how the girls have performed as they worked so hard to register the victory.
“In spite of that, we still need to pull up our socks, considering that we are yet to face higher-ranked teams in our preparations. But our preparedness will be defined tomorrow as we face New Zealand in our last warm-up match.”
Netball Association of Malawi general secretary Isaac Chimwala said they are happy with the Queens performance.
Malawi will begin their campaign with a Group B clash against Scotland on Friday and England on Saturday. They will play their last group match against Barbados on Sunday.
At the World Cup, 16 teams will compete for the title. Six teams, namely Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, England, South Africa and Uganda qualified automatically.
The remaining 10 slots were filled after qualifying tournaments in World Netball’s five regions, which contributed top two teams each.
Queens secured their slot after finishing as runners-up during the Africa Region qualifying tournament while Fiji made it following their second place finish during the Oceania Region qualifiers.
