The Malawi National Netball Team coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa has disclosed her struggles to find replacements for two experienced defenders ahead of the Africa Netball Cup slated for December in Lilongwe.
Chawinga-Kaluwa said this after the senior netball side regrouped in Blantyre on Monday in readiness of international friendlies against Botswana and Zimbabwe later this month.
The Queens mentor said she was facing a tall order to replace goal defender Grace Mwafulirwa and goalkeeper Towera Vinkhumbo.
She told Times Sport that Vinkhumbo was still in the United Kingdom while Mwafulirwa was inactive.
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However, Chawinga-Kaluwa expressed hope that some under 23 players might be considered to fill the gap upon assessment in the ongoing camp.
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“We will scrutinize the available options. But it is not an automatic and an easy decision to make as most of the players we have now are not experienced much,” she said.
At the Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 in the United Kingdom, Tigresses shooter Tendai Masamba was deployed in defence as a goalkeeper, partnering Vikhumbo (goal defender) and Mwafulirwa (wing defender).
Currently some youthful players who might be considered at back include Aisha Gama, Shabel Bengo, Thocco Makunganya, Mphatso Kanyimbo, Chifuniro Moses and Sophilet Banda.
Meanwhile, three players namely Cynthia Khunga, Melia Soko and Nancy Mwaulambo were yet to join camp as we went to press Tuesday.
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Two players Mestina Mtete of Tigresses and Nancy Lipenga of Mafco have been ruled out due to injury and work commitments respectively.
