Vinkhumbo signs for UK’s Seven Stars

Multi-talented Queens defender and Malawi women’s national football team vice-captain Towera Vinkhumbo has signed for United Kingdom’s Netball Superleague outfit Seven Stars, effectively halting her women’s football career.

Vinkhumbo was the first player to feature for both Malawi national netball team, the Queens and the national women’s football team.

However, her career with the women’s football team has been cut short after the UK outfit offered the Queens goal-defender a contract.

“This is a great opportunity for my career.  I have a new family in Severn Stars, which will help me to acquire new skills and ideas.  I am happy that I will be playing with skilled players and experienced players who will push me, some of whom I played against during international matches,” she said.

Seven Stars website hailed Vinkhumbo, saying she brings to the club experience having featured for the Queens at top level.

“Vinkhumbo has been playing in the Malawi national team since 2010, competing in the Commonwealth Games in 2010, 2014 and 2018. More recently, she represented the Malawi Queens at the World Cup in Liverpool in the summer, who went on to win silver at the Africa Netball Cup last month.  This will be her first season in the Vitality Netball Superleagu,e”  reads a statement posted on the club’s website.

Stars head coach Melissa Bessell said Vinkhumbo signing was a big moment for the club.

 “Towera has a huge amount of experience internationally.  She is a very tenacious player and has a wise head on her shoulders, which is something I love in defence.  It sealed the deal for me after Malawi took the silver medal at the Africa Netball Cup.  Towera played a vital part in two crucial games so it was a no brainer for me to bring her to Stars.”

She joins England’s Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning captain Ama Agbeze  to complete the line-up for Severn Stars’ main squad for the upcoming Vitality Netball Superleague season.

Vinkhumbo’s signing means Malawi netball players in the Superleague is now at four as she joins Takondwa Lwazi, Joyce Mvula and Laureen Ngwira.

Severn Stars are based in Worcester, England and represents the Worcestershire region.

Formed in 2016, during the expanding of the Netball Superleague, Severn Stars are jointly owned by the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Worcester.

They play their home games at the Worcester University Arena.