Queens coach drops Joanna Kachilika, Alinafe Kamwala
Malawi national netball team Coach, Peace Chawinga- Kaluwa, has axed skipper Joanna Kachilika, Alinafe Kamwala and Thandie Galeta from the 12-member squad to represent the country at the African Netball Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.
Chawinga-Kaluwa has instead picked First Choice Tigresses centre, Beatrice Mpinganjira, who last played for the Queens during the 2017 continental showpiece in Uganda.
Following the axing of Kachilika, who plays for Tropical Queens, Kukoma Diamonds’ stalwart Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira has been re-named Captain whereas Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango has been maintained as Vice Captain.
The Tigresses mentor has also accommodated Kachilika’s teammate Martha Dambo and Diamonds shooter Jessica Mazengera-Sanudi.
Australia-based Queens superstar, Mwawi Kumwenda, has missed out as she is yet to regain full fitness.
Reports suggest that she is still continuing with rehabilitation.
The foreign-based Manchester Thunder legion of Joyce Mvula, Lauren Ngwira and Takondwa Lwazi, is expected to link up with the team in Cape Town.
Netball Association of Malawi General Secretary, Carol Bapu, said they were hopeful that the team Chawinga- Kaluwa had picked would deliver.
“We believe in this team. It is a strong team. Our preparations are almost through and that is why we have released the final squad. We want this team to win the championship. It has taken us many years without winning and we believe this is our time,” Bapu said.
The Queens are expected to leave the country tomorrow for the Rainbow Nation.
The full squad is as follows:
Mvula, Jane Chimaliro, Jessica Sanudi, Sindie Simtowe-Msowoya, Mpinganjira, Bridget Kumwenda-Chalera, Lwazi, Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda, Mtukule-Ngwira, Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango, Martha Dambo and Ngwira.
