The Malawi Under-21 National Netball Team started its campaign for the Netball World Youth Cup finals brilliantly, thrashing Trinidad and Tobago 65- 29 at Europe Sports Arena in Gibraltar Sunday.
It was a good start for the junior Queens, who are aiming for a podium finish.
Malawi Under-21 Coach Noel Mussa picked a strong team, starting with Stella Matelezi (GS), Florence Jeke (GA), Alinafe Chaima (WA), Melia Soko (c), Esther Phiri (WD), Aisha Gama (GD) and Chimwemwe Dzanja (GK).
In the first quarter, the junior Queens were simply unplayable with their swift game.
They led the first quarter 22-4 before extending the lead to 32- 17 at half time, having allowed Trinidad and Tobago to crawl back into the game.
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In the third quarter, the junior Queens found their feet to lead 51-24.
The junior Queens made some changes, resting Matelezi for budding shooter Idah Mhone.
Captain for the junior Queens, Matelezi, said they were determined to impress.
“We are excited to be here and want to win the cup,” Matelezi said.
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Malawi U-21 will return to action when facing Fiji tomorrow, before dating continental rivals South Africa tomorrow.
They will round up the group-stage action with a match against Barbados on Wednesday.
The junior Queens warmed up for the world showpiece with three victories over Zambia during test matches in Lusaka that ended 48-36, 44-31 and 36-29.
They also defeated Singapore 52-25 and Jamaica 47-39.
Malawi U-21 is in Pool D alongside Fiji, South Africa, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago whereas Pool A comprises New Zealand, Gibraltar, Malaysia, Zambia and Cook Islands.
Pool B has Australia, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore and Northern Ireland while Pool C comprises England, Jamaica, Tonga, Wales and Sri Lanka.
The junior Queens last featured in the Netball World Youth Cup in Cook Islands in 2009, when shooter Mwawi Kumwenda was spotted by Peninsula Waves of Australia.
