Malawi National Netball Team players endured taunts and mockery on their return from Fast5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand—where they anchored the six-member competition, having lost all their six games— in November last year.
However, behind the senior team’s awful performance was the untold story of shambolic preparations and travel hitches that led to the side’s dismal outing, Times Sport can reveal.
Sources within Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) and the Queens confided in Times Sport that the senior team was destined for disaster due to logistical challenges encountered prior to players’ departure and along the way.
“We were doomed to fail. It appears that Nam just decided to participate in the competition without planning. The team was in camp for three days, including the day of departure.
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“To make matters worse, some members of the team were stuck in South Africa due to visa challenges,” the source said.
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According to our investigations, seven players, namely Joyce Mvula (Leeds Rhinos-UK), Amina Msusa (Mafco), Mary Nyirenda (Civonets), Shira Dimba (Prison Queens), Lauren Ngwira (First Choice Tigresses), Towera Vinkhumbo (Sirens-UK) and Shabel Bengo (Kukoma Diamonds) proceeded to New Zealand, where others remained in South Africa.
The sources indicated that three players, including two regulars Thandie Galeta (Kamuzu Barracks) and Martha Dambo (First Choice Tigresses), were in the group that was stranded in South Africa.
Budding shooter Cynthia Khunga (Civonets) completed the list of stranded players.
Nam Technical Director Samuel Kanyenda, who was in charge of the team, was among officials that were trapped in South Africa.
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Others included assistant coach Ellenour Mapulanga, Nam President Abigail Shariff and the then team manager Agness Chaima, who is also the association’s treasurer.
The team doctor was also among the crew in South Africa.
The sources revealed that two senior players— Mvula and Vinkhumbo— were taking charge of the team while in New Zealand during training sessions and attended pre-match meetings and other gatherings instead of Nam officials.
“It was pathetic because the two players that were left in South Africa were among the starting five. It was sad to see senior players [Vinkhumbo and Mvula] taking charge of the team as they were consulting with the coach online,” the source queried.
As if that was not enough, the Queens are yet to receive their allowances, amounting to K12 million.
The sources said the seven players who arrived in New Zealand earlier are owed K1,239, 000, translating to a total of K8,673,000, while each of the three players is owed K1,341,000 each and K4,023,000 in total.
After an unpleasant opening day, when they lost to New Zealand 42-13, Jamaica 41-37 and England 41-30, the Queens’ misery continued the following day when they lost three more matches.
The Queens lost to eventual champions Australia 42-24 before going down to continental rivals South Africa 37-31.
In a position five/six play-off, the Queens lost to Jamaica again 36-31.
Australia emerged champions while the hosts, New Zealand, settled for silver, with England claiming bronze.
South Africa finished fourth, above fifth-placed Jamaica, and bottom-placed Malawi.
The only consolation was when Vinkhumbo was named player of the match in the Queens’ downfall to South Africa.
Ironically, Malawi National Council of Sports asked Nam to submit a report as government did not sanction the trip.
When asked about the report and the hitches which the Queens encountered, MNCS Public Relations and Communications Officer Edgar Ntulumbwa promised to return to us but was yet to do so as we went to press.
Nam General Secretary Isaac Chimwala did not pick our calls and was yet to respond to our questionnaire, which we sent on WhatsApp, while the association’s president Sheriff promised to return to us after Parliament’s meeting..
However, netball pundit Lusekelo Kayuni thinks time is ripe for Nam to improve on logistical planning, communication and coordination.
