Malawi National Netball Team has intensified its preparations for the Vitality Netball Nations 2025 Cup slated for the United Kingdom (UK).
The team now has 15 players in camp after dropping Aisha Gama, Alice Mvula (both from Young Eagles), Julie Kamwera (Mafco), Beatrice Kumwenda (Mafco), Flora Chipeta (First Choice Tigresses) and Mphatso Kanyimbo (Ekwendeni Resource).
The six were released on Wednesday after spending two weeks with the Queens.
Malawi are scheduled to face England, South Africa and Uganda during the Quad Series expected to run from February 1 to 9.
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Netball Association of Malawi General Secretary Yamikani Khungwa-Kauma said dropping the six was necessary as the technical panel needs to focus on refining team dynamics.
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“As part of the final selection process, our technical team has decided to reduce the number of players in camp in order to focus on refining team dynamics in preparation for the upcoming Quad Series. This is a process of fine-tuning the team,” she said.
Khungwa-Kauma clarified that Gama and Chipeta had been dropped due to injuries.
“The two have injuries and the panel has decided not to risk them as it can compromise their performance. Dropping Aisha is also a precautionary measure as she is also a member of the Under-21 National Team which qualified for the Netball World Youth Cup. Nevertheless, the technical team commends all players for their dedication and efforts during the training camp,” she said.
Khungwa-Kauma said the panel would drop four more players before the team leaves for the UK.
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“Four more players will be released later and the Queens will travel with 11 players. Joyce Mvula, who is already in the UK, will complete the squad,” she said.
Queens’ joint coaches Mary Waya and Peace Chawinga- Kaluwa were unavailable for comments.
However, Waya told this paper this week that the coaching panel would continue improving the side to address the shortfalls they observed in Namibia during the Africa Netball Cup where they finished on fourth position and without a medal.
“We are polishing the mistakes we made at the Africa Cup. We added more players who were not in the team and we have filled the gaps that were there,” she was quoted as saying.
Netball analyst Neffie Kam’mata advised the coaches to concentrate on building a side that can regain the Queens’ lost glory.
“They should not go for results but, rather, work towards building a team for future events,” Kam’mata said.
