Chipeta of Tigresses
Fifteen developmental players have been included in the 25-member Malawi National Netball Team squad expected to go into camp next week.
Malawi Queens Coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa, through the Netball Association of Malawi (Nam), Tuesday released names of members of the squad comprising Malawi-based players to start preparations for the 2023 Netball World Cup slated for Cape Town, South Africa.
Some of the developmental squad members that have been included in the senior team include Salomy Nkhoma, Brenda Kapira, Stella Matelezi, Nancy Njawala, Lellie Banda, Eluby Chikooka, Lusako Mhango, Marvis Msunguma, Florence Gamuka and Chifuniro Moses.
However, this is the first time for eight players, who are among the developmental products, to be handed a senior call-up.
Foreign land-based Queens players have not been included in the early stages of the camp.
The coach has included several experienced players in the squad and they include Jane Chimaliro, Sindie Simtowe, Grace Mwafulirwa, Takondwa Lwazi and Thandie Galeta while Juliet Sambo and Alinafe Kamwala have been recalled to the side.
Chawinga-Kaluwa said they had to include developmental players to create depth for the side.
“The selection of the players follows recent trials where we created a pathway to the national team. We created reservoirs for the team by having feeder teams like under-19 and under-23.
“The selection started at district level, whereby the cream was recommended for regional trials. The best were then considered for national trials, where we identified players for various national teams,” she said.
Nam Vice President Chimwemwe Bakali said full details about the forthcoming camp will be released later in the week.
“The team might camp in Blantyre or Lilongwe. We are working on logistics and, shortly, we will update the country with full details,” Bakali said.
Both First Choice Tigresses and Blue Eagles Sisters have dominated the squad, having contributed eight players to the side.
Kukoma Diamonds wing attacker Bridget Kumwenda has been left out while her budding teammates, Chrissy Kamdozo and Marietta Harrison, have been overlooked.
The full squad is as: shooters- Jane Chimaliro (Civonets), Sindi Simtowe (Tigresses), Salomy Nkhoma (Eagles), Brenda Kapira (Tigresses), Stella Matelezi (Eagles), Alinafe Kamwala (Mafco), Nancy Njawala (Eagles).
Midcourt/shooters: Lellie Banda (Tigresses), Eluby Chikooka (Civonets), Lusako Mhango (Civonets).
Midcourt: Shira Dimba (Diamonds), Takondwa Lwazi (Eagles), Thandi Galeta (Lioness), Alice Mvula (Eagles), Flora Chipeta (Tigresses), Marvis Msunguma (Lioness), Florence Gamuka (Shizaella).
Defenders: Lauren Ngwira (Tigresses), Juliet Sambo (Eagles), Grace Mwafulirwa (Tigresses), Chifuniro Moses (Eagles), Martha Dambo (Tigresses), Shabel Bengo (Diamonds), Beauty Basiao (Tigresses) and Maggie Sikwese (Eagles).
Technical panel: Peace Kaluwa (head coach), Eleanor Mapulanga (assistant coach), Judith Chalusa (defenders coach) and Madano Thepeteya (trainer).
