Malawi Queens expatriate coach Debbie Fuller says endurance is the only area that needs polishing for the team to excel at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games scheduled from July 23 to August 2 in Scotland.
She said this yesterday during a press briefing at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Sports Complex in Blantyre ahead of the four closed-door international friendly matches against Zimbabwe’s Gems from yesterday to Thursday.
“What I can say is that we need to keep the Malawi Queens’ unorthodox philosophy while adding up a new defensive style that requires great endurance that comes though improved fitness levels,” said Fuller.
“At present, the team is good to compete at the Commonwealth Games, but with their fitness levels improved by 30 percent, there is need for further enhancement to last the back-to-back matches at the Commonwealth Games.”
She said the Zimbabwe friendlies will be used as a platform for the Queens to test their additional defensive style and see if there will still be some gaps.
“Having superior fitness levels is important when you do not have height advantage,” Fuller said.
Queens captain Takondwa Lwazi said the friendlies against Zimbabwe also give them an opportunity to avenge their recent back-to-back losses including a 48-44 defeat during the 2025 Africa Netball Cup third-place playoff.
“Since we lost our last games to Zimbabwe, it was wise to court them for these friendlies. Beating them will greatly boost our confidence,” she said.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Vitumbiko Gubuduza said the closed-door games will help the players to freely express themselves unlike in a situation where there is pressure from fans.
“Since the coach’s voice is the only one they will be focussing their attention to, the Queens will not play under pressure. This is what is needed,” she said.
“Apart from that, we do not want a situation where our Commonwealth Games opponents know how we are building up our squad.”
Zimbabwe assistant coach Tapiwa Chirenda, who was accompanied by his team’s captain Progress Chikumba, said the friendly matches will help them prepare for Netball World Cup qualifiers.
The Queens will leave for Scotland on July 14, where they will play three more friendlies against New Zealand, England and Northern Ireland before the Commonwealth Games.
Nico Group head of corporate affairs Mbumba Mlia-Ndasauka said her entity is committed to the Queens’ rebuilding process and they are happy with the progress so far.
At the Commonwealth Games, Queens are in pool A alongside world champions Australia, England, South Africa, Tonga and Northern Ireland.
