Malawi National Netball Team captain Caroline ‘Ayuda’ Mtukule-Ngwira has been ruled out of the 2023 Netball World Cup finals after suffering a knee injury.
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) Technical Director Samuel Kanyenda confirmed the development, saying the Team Bath player will not recover in time for the world showpiece.
“It is indeed a blow. Much as we wanted her to be part of the squad but she will not be ready for the World Cup finals. We will miss her,” he said.
Kanyenda, who is heading the team’s coaching panel ahead of the global event, said they have adequate depth to fill the void.
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“Of course, we have good players at the back. It will be a matter of coming up with a good formation according to the game plan,” he said.
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The Queens have Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda, Grace Mwafulirwa- Mhango, Lauren Ngwira, Madalitso Mkandawire while Martha Dambo can play as a goal-defender and at centre court.
However, Kanyenda said they were yet to identify Mtukule-Ngwira’s replacement from three reserve players Shabello Bengo, Florence Gamuka and Salome Nkhoma.
“As a panel, we are discussing how best to fill the gap. Of course, we picked Martha [Dambo] as a centre court player but she also plays well in defence. We will see how best to pick Carol’s replacement,” he said.
Netball analyst Stella Guga said Mtukule- Ngwira’s absence will affect the team.
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“She has been the backbone of the Malawi Queens for many years and her defensive partnership with Towera Vinkhumbo has been a force to reckon with. She is a morale booster to the team. Whenever they are on court, we see her giving instructions to her teammates, cheering them. We will definitely miss her services,” she said.
Guga hoped that the coaching panel would devise a proper game plan as Mtukule-Ngwira was the only natural goal defence in the squad after Dambo was pushed to the mid court.
“On a positive note Carol’s absence will give a chance to other players to prove themselves. The likes of Madalitso Mkandawire, Shabelo Bengo and other upcoming defensive players have not been given a real chance to show what they can do. This is their time to shine and we can only wish them all the best,” she said.
The competition will run from July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Currently, the Queens are expected to warm up for the World Cup finals by facing New Zealand and Zimbabwe in friendlies.
The Queens, who are ranked sixth in the world, were drawn in Group B alongside third-ranked England, 10th-placed Scotland and 14th-ranked Barbados.
Malawi will begin their Netball World Cup campaign against Scotland on July 28 before taking on England on July 29. They will face Barbados on July 30.
