Queens face Australia
This is it. The Malawi Queens face Australia tomorrow in the next stage of the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town after finishing second in Group B.
Malawi caretaker coach Samuel Kanyenda said they expect a tough match against the Australians.
“They are one of the best teams in the world, but no team is invincible, we can beat them.
“We will be back in training tomorrow [today] and we’ll come up with a good plan for them.”
Weighed down by infighting, the Queens yesterday put aside their differences that saw them being subjected to ridicule on social media platforms to beat Barbados 84-48 to seal the second spot.
At the centre of the controversy was revered Australia-based Mwawi Kumwenda, who was given a wild applause by the local-based Malawians as she returned to the starting line-up.
In an interview yesterday Mwawi said what happened on Saturday was now water under the bridge.
She said: “A national cause is more important than our personal interests and we can only achieve our desired goals as a team if we are united and our performance today proved that.”
It was like watching play station as the two musketeers, Kumwenda and New Zealand -based shooter mashed potently as they turned on a vintage show that had their opponents on the back foot. It was the stuff of deja vu.
Malawi led 20-10 in the first quarter and doubled the margin at half time as they led 43-22.
In the third quarter, the Queens led 64-35.
Diminutive centre Takondwa Lwazi, who was the centrepiece of the Queens’ best moves, was named Player of the Match.
Commenting on the team’s performance against Barbados, Kanyenda said: “After the disappointment against England, we desperately needed this win.”
Malawi beat Scotland 55-49in their opening match before losing to England 62-49 in their second match.—Story powered by Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited.
