Queens won’t drop on rankings—coach

Malawi Queens caretaker coach Samuel Kanyenda believes, in cold comfort, that the Queens will maintain their sixth position in world rankings despite losing to Uganda.

Malawi finished seventh at the global netball showpiece in Cape Town, South Africa after beating Tonga’s Tala 56-46 yesterday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre while Uganda finished fifth following their triumph over South Africa.

Said Kanyenda: “On points, Uganda are still far below us, so for now, we are safe.

“It could have been scary had we lost to Tonga because the gap in points is narrow, but we beat them in both games.”

However, he said the loss to Uganda was food for thought.

“Now that the tournament is over, we now need to strategise on both short and long-terms,” he said.

Malawi have a rating of 127 while Uganda have 119. On points, Malawi have 5 079 against Uganda’s 3 941.

That is caluculated after Malawi played 56 games against Uganda’s 49.

On yesterday’s match, Kanyenda, who is also Netball Association of Malawi technical director, described the Queens ‘ performance as impressive.

He said: “Tonga are a good side and I have so much respect for them.

“But the girls stood up to be counted today and fought from start to finish, unlike in most matches when they could fizzle out after half time. In defence, we were also very good and to me, Lauren Ngwira was the player of the match.”

Australia-based goal shooter Mwawi Kumwenda bagged her second Most Valuable Player Award at the tournament.

Before the final and third-place match, she was the only player, who had won the accolade twice.—Powered by Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited