History is set to be made today when the first-ever Netball World Cup finals on the continent get underway in Cape Town, South Africa, with Malawi National Netball Team taking on Scotland.
Since inception of the global competition, the Queens have been to the finals six times with a fifth-place finish in 2007.
The Queens are in Group B of the global showpiece and face the uphill task of replicating that performance.
After the showdown against 10th ranked Scotland, the sixth-ranked Queens will take on third-ranked England tomorrow before facing Barbados, who are ranked 14th, on Sunday.
Interim coach Samuel Kanyenda said the Queens prepared for the entire competition and not just for a particular team.
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“We prepared well for all the teams in our group. We know how Scotland, England and Barbados play.
We know that every team here prepared for the World Cup. As a matter of fact, Barbados is not a walkover.
“They are capable of shocking any team at any time. We are, therefore, not underrating any team. Ours is a team that is prepared to finish top in the group,” Kanyenda said.
Malawi have lethal weapons at their disposal, with Melbourne Vixens top shooter Mwawi Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula of Central Pulse in New Zealand giving the coach a selection headache.
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Captain Jane Chimaliro will likely partner one of the shooters in attack whereas centre court star Takondwa Lwazi and wing attacker Thandie Galeta will be supplying passes to the attackers.
In defence, Kanyenda will likely deploy goalkeeper Lauren Ngwira, goal defender Towera Vinkhumbo and wing defender Grace Mwafulirwa.
On the bench, the coach has a variety of options to pick from if he wants to change the complexion of the game, with shooter Sindie Simtowe and versatile Martha Dambo being readily available.
Meanwhile, the 16 participating teams gathered at the Artscape Theatre Centre, Foreshore, Cape Town, Thursday evening to mark the beginning of the event with a candle lighting ceremony.
The ceremony dates back to the first official netball world championship held in Eastbourne, England, in 1963.
It gathers players to light candles in a symbol of friendship and goodwill, committing to honour the spirit of the game.
Groups at the tournament are as follows:
Pool A—Australia, Tonga, Zimbabwe and Fiji
Pool B—England, Malawi, Scotland and Barbados
Pool C—Jamaica, South Africa, Wales and Sri Lanka
Pool D—New Zealand, Uganda, Trinidad & Tobago and Singapore
