Newly-appointed Under-21 netball national team coach Noel Mussa says he will need at least two international friendly matches to fine-tune his charges ahead of the World Youth Netball Cup in Gibraltar in September 2025.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has roped in the Kukoma Diamonds mentor in place of Joana Kachilika, who recently turned down her redeployment from the senior Malawi Queens to the Under-21 side.
Mussa said while the local camping that started yesterday in Blantyre could help the 26-player squad to be in shape, the international games are essential to get the team into the right frame for a global showpiece.
“As we are starting the local camping, it is like we are building a team as there are a lot of new faces that need to get used to playing on the international stage before the World Youth Cup. That can only be achieved if we play two or more international friendly matches,” he said.
The team has been inactive for nine months. They have not gathered as a team since they qualified for the World Youth Cup in March when they took silver in the qualifying tournament in Pretoria, South Africa.
Initially, NAM planned to send the Under-21 team to South Africa alongside the Queens when they played in Test Series, but that failed after the hosts issued an excuse, saying the majority of their Under-21 players could not be available due to school.
NAM general secretary (GS) Yamikani Kauma yesterday said they are aware of the need for the Under-21 team to play some international friendlies.
She said: “We are today expected to have a meeting with the Malawi National Council of Sports on the team’s preparations and the issue of funding for some international friendlies will be discussed.
“But our suggestion is that we can invite at least two or more national teams for a mini tournament in the country.”
The NAM GS said the team is expected to camp at least three times before their departure for Gibraltar.
Malawi last competed in the World Youth Cup in 2009 when Queens’ star Mwawi Kumwenda was spotted by Australian club Peninsular Waves to become the country’s first forien-based-professional netball player.
Below is the list of players that have earned a call up.
Shooter: Stella Matelezi, Ida Mhone, Florence Makanganya, Florence Jeke, Amina Mussa and Sophirate Banda. Mid-court players: Melia Soko, Adija Juma, Happiness Banda, Lyness Mdulamitu, Mestina Mtete, Shira Nkhoma, Chifundo Banda and Alinafe Chaima. Defenders: Esther Phiri, Aisha Gama, Christina Type, Regina Makoloni, Chimwemwe Dzanja, Elina Chigwe, Caroline Benito, Joyce Magaitsa, Martha Matupi, Chawanangwa Msiska, Bridget Williams and Grace Mwanza.
