The Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) is on collision course with Malawi National Netball Team coaches having differed on the side’s targets.
Nam has set a top three finish target for the Queens at the forthcoming Vitality Netball Nations 2025 Cup in England where they will face the hosts and two continental rivals, South Africa and Uganda.
Nam Vice President Lumbani Mtonyo said while the team was still under rebuilding exercise the association would like the side to finish in top three in England.
“We want to have a notable impact and we also aim to achieve a certain ranking. This ranking will reflect our strength on the international stage so we want the team not to lose any points against the other teams.
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“And if we lose to England and South Africa we want the margin to be very small,” Mtonyo said.
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However, Mtonyo said they expect the coaches to focus on developing a robust game that capitalises on the strength of players while addressing the areas needing improvement.
“Enhancing team cohesion is also one area Nam expects the technical panel to focus on as they believe that these targets are attainable as they align with the expectation of Nico Group who sponsors the team,” she said.
The Nam Veep admitted that with adequate resources and vision the targets were attainable.
However, Malawi Queens joint coach Mary Waya downplayed the set target, saying their focus was on building cohesion and mental aspect in the players.
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“Firstly we must note that to do better and attain good results it starts with player selection at both districts and regions to the national team. Then the selected players must undergo intensive training with a team of good coaches.
“We also need a robust scouting and training plan from youth systems but in this matter all we are trying to do is to avoid losing balls like we did against South Africa. Every team that goes to a tournament prepares to win and we are not spared but we have not given ourselves any targets,” Waya said.
The Queens are smarting from a poor outing after they finished fourth at the Africa Netball Cup in Namibia.
Malawi lost the bronze medal match to Zimbabwe 48-42. They also lost to Uganda 51-43 and eventual champions South Africa 65-35.
Ironically, Waya and Chawinga took over the mantle from Joana Kachilika after the Queens were battered by Spar Proteas losing 68-31, 69-38 and 69-24 during the Spar International Challenge Test Series between October and November last year.
