Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Vitumbiko Gubuduza has said the Queens could have done better at the Three-Test Series against their hosts Proteas of South Africa.
Reacting to the team’s 69-24 loss in the last match at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg yesterday, she said the Malawi National Netball Team were given adequate support in preparation for the matches.
Said Gubuduza: “ The Queens’ performance was below par. We must also consider that SA is also rebuilding. So our rebuilding phase must not be an excuse to perform poorly and not execute.
“We believe the team had adequate preparations. So we need to interrogate the root cause of such a performance and see what we need to do.”
Following the loss, she said they will review the technical panel.
“We will get reports from the technical team and see what we can work on going forward. We have a lot of work ahead to ensure the team receives the needed support and is empowered to do better in their next matches.”
Unlike in their second test series match, in which Queens forced a 13-13 draw in the first quarter, South Africa led 16-7 in yesterday’s encounter.
They continued from where they stopped, giving Malawi no breathing space in the second quarter which ended 31-11.
In the third quarter, South Africa scored 19 against Malawi’s eight to extend the lead to 50-19.
The difference in class and tactics was reflected in the fourth quarter when Malawi netted six baskets while South Africa shot 19 to take their tally to 69-24.
In a post-match interview, Queens coach Joana Kachilika attributed the loss to, among others, the rebuilding exercise and lack of endurance.
“The players failed to chase the match by each passing quarter because of lack of endurance. Another issue is that we are trying different combinations. So, we need to come up with combinations,” she said.
During the first match on Thursday, Malawi lost 68-31 and 69-38 on Saturday.n
Lilongwe.Bingu National Stadium in
Bullets scored through Ephraim Kondowe in the first minute.
The People’s Team could have scored more goals, but Hastings Banda’s brilliant goalkeeping saved his team.
The only threat from Kamuzu Barracks was a long-range powerful shot from Olson Kanjira which zoomed narrowly wide.
After recess, Kondowe also failed to score from a Crispin Mapemba pass.
Kamuzu Barracks thought they had equalised in the 56th minute through Kanjira, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside.
In the 67th minute, Babatunde missed in the 18-yard box after a good pass from Ernest Petro.
But Bullets survived Kamuzu Barracks’ storm and calmed the nerves of their supporters in the 73rd minute after Blessings Mpokera curled a long-range free-kick which gave Kamuzu Barracks goalkeeper Banda no chance.
In a post-match interview, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa gave his players credit.
He said: “Our opponents were very compact and played well. But we were a threat. We scored that early goal that made a difference.
“If we hadn’t scored that early goal it could have been tough for us. Then we added the intensity in the second half and scored the second.”
Kamuzu Barracks coach Charles Kamanga admitted that they struggled.
He said: “Fatigue played a crucial role in our defeat today. It’s not that I am making an excuse, but it’s just the truth. Playing three games every week is not easy.
“But I must congratulate Bullets for the victory. They came with a plan and it worked. We had a plan, but we did not implement it.” n
80th minute after she swung upfield like a helicopter to head home the seventh.
Her celebration, arms in the air with clenched fists, spoke volumes about the significance of her goal.
Before yesterday’s matches, Montpellier were sixth in the 12-team league with 10 points from six matches.
Kabzere could not be reached for comment.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adellaide Migogo said her performance on Saturday was proof that she is settling down. “Her performance was impressive and if she keeps her cool, she will make it big,” she said.
