Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has taken a risk after naming Imosys Netball Club coach Joanna Kachilika as the new Malawi National Netball Team coach replacing Peace Chawinga- Kaluwa whose tenure ended controversially.
The former Queens skipper has been given a two-year performance-based contract and will be assisted by former Queens defender Eleanor Mapulanga whereas former wing-attacker Beatrice Mpinganjira is now the physical trainer.
Nam has also named former Imosys coach Christina Mkwanda as the new Malawi Under-21 National Netball Team coach with Cecilia Bondwe as her assistant.
Vincent Shombe is the team’s physical fitness trainer.
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Young Eagles coach, Rose Chinyama has been entrusted with the Malawi Under-20 National Netball Team coaching job with Tereza Chipolopolo as her assistant and Elnes Kachama as physical fitness trainer.
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Currently, the focus is on the senior team after the team misfired at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa when they finished seventh.
Under the tutelage of Technical Director Samuel Kanyenda, the team then reached a new low after anchoring the six-team Fast5 Netball World Series when they lost all games.
However, the spotlight is on Kachilika having been given the senior team mantle when some quarters think she is inexperienced.
Kachilika, who was named the 2023 Rainbow Paints Blantyre and Districts Netball League coach of the season, is yet to win a major trophy on the domestic scene.
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However, she guided Imosys to a top three finish in three seasons in the league.
Kachilika alongside co-coach guided the Malawi Under-18 National Netball Team to win silver at the 2021 African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Maseru, Lesotho.
Sports analyst Kandani Ngwira said it was a challenge and an opportunity for Kachilika as she has been thrown to the deep end.
“My thoughts are that she lacks experience. Particularly because the Queens are at their lowest point. They are now ranked seventh after failing to beat Uganda at the last World Cup in South Africa. And they lost all matches at Fast5 last year.
“This is a terrible record and it means Malawi netball needs to undergo a serious rebuilding process to identify new players to replace the old,” Ngwira said.
Ngwira asked Nam to tread carefully as Kachilika requires support to thrive as the new youthful coach tries to rebuild the falling Queens.
“Rebuilding is very difficult, especially to a less experienced coach. On one hand she will be trying new players which increases the likelihood of losses. Meanwhile fans will be furious looking for better results. So Kachilika will need more than just her certificates to manage the transition. I wish she was given ample time to understudy a senior coach before being thrown into the deep end. But I wish her well. She has a chance to prove us all wrong by building a winning team,” Ngwira said.
He believes that Kachilika would require mental toughness to manage Queens’ transition and big-name players.
“If she can get the support of senior players then she can thrive,” Ngwira said.
However, another analyst Israellah Chirwa backed Kachilika to succeed if she is supported.
“Honestly, I really think Joanna [Kachilika] is in a position giving that position a trial, being both an experienced player and coach. She deserves this opportunity and I really hope she delivers beyond expectations,” Chirwa said.
The Mubas Netball Team player concurred with Ngwira that Kachilika would face a daunting task as The Queens have been stagnant for a while.
“She just needs our support, I trust that she will deliver. However, I think the period she has been given is too short, looking at the state our team is in. Our team needs serious reconstruction, so I personally think that two years is not enough but I hope she will be able to make a good plan and deliver within the allocated time,” Chirwa said.
Kachilika, who is a player-coach for Imosys, is yet to speak formally following her appointment.
However, her first task would be the forthcoming Spar Test Series against continental rivals, South Africa next month.
