Malawi National Netball Team buried the hatchet and vented their anger on Barbados, crashing them 84-48 in a 2023 Netball World Cup Pool B match at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa Sunday.
Following the win, the Queens finished second in the group and progressed to stage two of the competition alongside pool leaders England and third-placed Scotland.
The Queens will be part of Pool F, comprising Australia, England, Tonga, Fiji, Scotland and Malawi whereas the top three teams from pools C and D will form pool G.
Malawi will face Fiji today before taking on Australia Tuesday.
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The Queens will then date Tonga on Thursday.
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According to organisers, each team carries forward results from their matches in the first stage.
Prior to Sunday’s match, the Queens were embroiled in controversy after Australia-based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda refused to come on as a substitute with two minutes to half time.
Malawi National Council of Sports delegation, led by the board’s chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise, intervened in the matter, advising the team to bury their differences and put the country first.
“No player is bigger than the nation. You [players] might not be there in the future and yet now you are playing. Others were there in the past. You must learn to resolve issues internally. What image have you portrayed?
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“It is worrisome as other Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) officials are not here [at the hotel] where they are expected to provide leadership. It is only the GS [Isaac Chimwala] who is here to resolve the wrangle. Lastly, let me stress that we will not tolerate indiscipline,” he said.
The talk seemed to have brought sense back into the Queens squad as they realised the importance of being patriotic.
Recalled shooter Kumwenda, who plays for Vixens in Australia, combined well with goal-shooter Joyce Mvula to help the Queens lead 20-10 at the end of the first quarter and 43-22 at half time.
The performance of the Queens was awesome, with Takondwa Lwazi and Thandie Galeta, who came in as a substitute, feeding Kumwenda and Mvula to do the damage.
Kumwenda scored more goals than Mvula, who was later substituted for Sindi Simtowe, who in turn converted three baskets.
Interestingly, Lwazi was voted player of the match.
Interim coach Samuel Kanyenda has since called for some improvement ahead of stage two matches.
“It is a well-deserved win. I am happy to see how the girls responded to the game after some differences, that emerged in the camp on Saturday, were ironed out.
“We need to improve on the midcourt, which is our engine room, because we are giving away more balls,” Kanyenda said.
On her part, Kumwenda has called on fellow players to give their best in the remaining matches.
“I cannot wait to play against Australia. We have forgotten what happened. I love Malawi and I want to continue playing for the country I love most,” she said.
Queens’ captain Jane Chimaliro shared the sentiments, saying it was water under the bridge.
“Differences will always be there among people but we apologise to all who were offended by the video clip. We are now focussing on our next assignment,” she said.
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire called on the girls to be united as differences will always bring them down.
“There were players before and they went. You are all here today and you will also go; so, play and leave a legacy, which is the most important thing to do,” he said.—Story powered by PremierLoto & MNCS
