Malawi National Netball Team interim coach Samuel Kanyenda is confident that his charges can pull a surprise at the 2023 Netball World Cup finals that get underway in Cape Town, South Africa, tomorrow.
Kanyenda only has today to finalise fixing the weaknesses which he noted in the Queens’ 60-49 win over Fiji on Monday and a 60-54 loss to New Zealand the following day in practice matches.
“We noted some mistakes which could have been avoided. We have been discussing and things are looking up for us. Hopefully, all things will be fine when we begin our campaign,” he said.
Kanyenda, who is also Netball Association of Malawi Technical Director, said it was not necessary to disclose areas they were working on ahead of the global tournament’s throw-off.
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He however justified the absence of Australia-based Melbourne Vixens top shooter Mwawi Kumwenda from the team that lost to the Silver Ferns.
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“I decided to rest her as I tried different combinations,” Kanyenda said.
Meanwhile, local analysts feel that the Queens can remain in the top six if they rectify mistakes which were observed in the two games.
Former netballer Neffie Kam’mata said the two practice matches were ideal tests for the Queens.
“They played against a low ranking team in Fiji. But the New Zealand match was something else because this is a top-ranked team. Suffice to say performances in both matches were not bad. Our team tried its best and the players worked really hard.
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“Playing the friendlies was a good idea. It has helped us know where we stand. The coach will do well to correct mistakes noted during the two matches. The players should also put in an extra gear in all matches,” Kam’mata said.
Netball pundit Stella Guga said the Queens should continue making improvements.
“The team is on the right path. But we need to continue growing. Our win against Fiji was not impressive considering the gap that is there between us. The goal margin was too small. We conceded too much and scored less for such a low ranked team.
“We understand the coach was testing different combinations but, still, we should not be losing two quarters to a team like Fiji. But the margin by which we lost to New Zealand has given us hope that the coach worked on weaknesses he observed against Fiji,” Guga said.
The sixth-ranked Queens will open their campaign against Scotland, ranked 10th, tomorrow before taking on third-ranked England on Saturday.
Malawi will then face 14th-ranked Barbados on Sunday.
