Shizaella defend Blantyre Urban Presidential Cup
Southern Region Netball League (SRNL) blossoming side, Shizaella, underlined their rising reputation when they defended the Blantyre Urban Presidential trophy after beating rivals Chilomoni Sisters 25-23 in a close match at Blantyre Youth Centre on Saturday.
The match could have gone either way but Shizaella stood firm to register an important win.
Shizaella got K100,000 for winning the championship with the runners-up pocketing K70,000. Both Shizaella and Chilomoni have qualified for the regional finals of the Presidential trophy.
Shizaella coach Peter Mchiwa said it was a tough match but the team got it right after executing instructions.
“We had to win at all cost. Our counterparts were equally impressive and if we had relaxed we could have lost. The score line suggests that the match was close and it was close indeed. My players were fantastic and they followed the game plan. We will now look forward to the regional finals. We have to impress at regional finals,” he told the media after the win.
Chilomoni senior player, Linda Kaponda, said it was painful to lose the match after putting up an impressive performance.
“Of course the match could have gone either way but we missed it after committing some unforced errors. However, we will work hard to make our mark at regional finals,” she said.
SRNL general secretary, Annie Hanjahanja, said they were happy with the performance of the four teams that reached the semifinals.
“We are pleased with their performance and it has given us hope that we are nurturing good teams,” he said.
The leagues vice chairperson Isaac Chimwala asked both Shizaella and Chilomoni to continue preparing for the regional finals to boost their chances to qualify for the national finals.
“We would like our teams to qualify for the national finals,” he said.
In a third-place match, FDH Bank beat Shippers 22-17.
Complex Tigresses are the defending champions after they defeated Kukoma Diamonds during the final that was held at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu.
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