Tigresses defend Airtel Money Trophy, collects 7 million Malawi Kwacha

Complex Tigresses were on Saturday crowned Airtel Money Netball champions for the second year running after clipping Blue Eagles Sister 44-40 baskets in a highly competitive encounter in Mzuzu and collected K7 million ( about $16 700) winners prize.

Tigresses successfully made history to become the first team to defend the richest netball cup in Malawi after they also won it last year in Blantyre after clobbering Kukoma Diamonds.

Both teams took the game physically in a game which saw tempers flare amongst the players.

However, blossoming Tigresses made it clear from the word go that Blue Eagles would not easily get the glittering trophy as they were a marvel to watch especially through their dangerous shooter Sindi ‘Sniper’ Simutowe.

Simutowe gave Blue Eagles defense a tough ride as she avoided a physical game to lead her side to victory.

On the other end Joyce Mvula tried her level best to give Grace Mhango and Lauren Ngwira, who was on top of her game but was left alone to do the battle, which was not enough for the Area 30 cops to inflict pain to the Kanjedza ladies.

Kondwani Lwazi was also another player, who tried her level best to save her side from the jaws of Tigresses but the damage was already done.

After the game Tigresses players jived before coach Peace Kaluwa said,:“ Iam satisfied that we have managed to defend the title. We fought tooth and nail by denying Blue Eagles enough space to manoeuvre.”

Kaluwa praised her troops for being outstanding in the entire Airtel Money Netball Championships national encounters.

Lauren Ngwira said “its been a great day in my life to win the cup again.”

And Simutowe added: “There will be more glory from Tigresses.”

Airtel  Malawi  Marketing  Manager  Masiye  Mazaza  reiterated  that  his  company  aims  at  exposing  talent  for  the  Malawi  Queens  through  the  tournament.

“We  want  to  develop  netball  and  nurture  talents  among  youth  in  rural  area  who  will  assist  in  our  national  netball  team- the  Queens.  As  you  know the Queens  are  putting  Malawi on  the  map  as  it  is  number one  in  Africa  and five  at  world  level,”  said  Mazaza.

Masiye  added  that  on  top  of  the  Airtel  Money  competition  his  company  was  assisting  the  Malawi  Queens  in  international  competitions  and  also  the  Airtel Rising  star  tourney.

He  also  commended  Netball  Association  of  Malawi  and  all  teams  for  observing  discipline  throughout  the  tournament  this  year.

“This  year  everything  has  gone  on  very  smoothly  from  district  to  national  finals..  thus  why  we  have  moved  according  to  schedule  without  delays  because of  discipline  to  the  part of teams,”  explained  Mazaza.

Chairperson  for  Netball  Association of  Malawi  in  the  North  Chancy  Munthali  said  the  Champions  received   7-million  kwacha  and  a  trophy  while  runners up  received  2.5  million  kwacha.

The  participating  teams in the tournament included  Lameck  Queens,  the  Diamonds, Thunder  Queens,  Complex Tigresses,  Alliance  Queens,  Civo  Nets,  Blue  Eagles,  MAFCO  Siters,  Mimosa,  Young  Sisters  and  Lioness.

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