Griffin Saenda maintains familiar names
By Mphatso Malidadi:
Malawi national netball team Coach, Griffin Saenda Senior, has maintained familiar names in the 12-member squad that leaves through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe today for Liverpool, England, to compete in the Netball World Cup.
Saenda has dropped Kukoma Diamonds’ trio of Jessie Mazengera-Sanudi, Grace Chazungulira and Shira Kapasula-Dimba.
The veteran mentor has also left out Civonets centre, Rose Mkanda, and Martha Dambo of Tropical Queens. Rookies Madalitso Mkandawire and Maggie Sikwese have also been dropped.
However, seasoned campaigners in defenders Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda, Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira, Captain Joanna Kachilika, Vice Captain Grace Mwafulirwa- Mhango, shooter Jane Chimaliro and Sindie Simtowe Msowoya are in the squad.
Others who have also made the squad are centre court and wing attackers Takondwa Lwazi, Bridget Kumwenda and Thandie Galeta-Saenda.
Top Manchester Thunder shooter Joyce Mvula is expected to link up with the squad in England.
Saenda described the selection exercise as tough and said the picked players deserved to be part of the squad.
“All the players were outstanding and I must commend them for their positive attitude. Otherwise, we have selected players we feel will help us achieve our goal. The mission is to move up the ladder on the world netball rankings,” he said.
The Queens will be without star shooter Mwawi Kumwenda, who is recovering from an injury sustained at her Australian side Melbourne Vixens.
The Queens will begin their campaign against New Zealand on July 12.
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