Malawi Queens confident to defend Cosana Cup, ‘strong’ squad released
Malawi Queens coach Griffin ‘Zagalo’ Saenda has released a 12- ladies squad to take part in this year’s Cosana tournament to kick-off on September, 9, 2012 in Mbabane, Swaziland.
The Queens are expected to leave leaving the country for Swaziland on September, 7, 2012 via Kamuzu International Airport.
In his squad, Saenda has included a new face in Mafco’s sister defender Melenia Gedion to fill the gap of Queens captain Grace Mwafulirwa, who failed to report for camp.
In the same defence department, Saenda has selected Escom Sisters duo of Caroline ‘Ayuda’ Ngwira, who is the captain and Towera ‘Tobe’ Vinkhumbo alongside Bingu Tigresses young and upcoming Lauren Ngwira and Joanna Kachilika.
On the centre, Saenda has assigned Escom Sisters engine room Bridget Kuwenda, Bingu Tigresses Beatrice Kadango, Civonets Tina Kamzati and MTL Queens youngster Thandi Magaleta to keep the engine boiling.
In the shooting section, Saenda also popularly known as ‘Zagalo’ to his admirers, has picked Australian based Mwayi ‘Professor’ Kumwenda, Bingu Tigresses slippery shooter Sindi ‘Sniper’ Simutowe and Blue Eagles Sisters player Joyce Mvula .
Saenda told Nyasa Times after Wednesday morning training session that they were geared to defend the title.
“The cup is in our possession and we will defend it,” said Saenda.
Mind games
Saenda also launched mind games with South Africa, who were responsible in beating the Queens in the last Diamond tournament.
“Let me start with apologizing to the nation for failing to grab the Diamond tournament, but it was not our intention as you saw it that our colleagues had the backing of umpires. This time around we will prove to South Africa that they are far away from us,” said Saenda, beaming with confidence.
“They have a debt to pay to us,” he added.
South Africans were crowned the champions after beating the Queens.
Malawi Queens captain, Caroline ‘Ayuda’ Ngwira also shared the same sentiments that South Africa will be in for it.
“I can assure Malawians that we will defend Cosana and mainly we are aiming to defeat South Africa because these are our rivals,” said Ngwira.
The Queens evergreen shooter Mwayi ‘Professor’ Kumwenda urged that nation to put them in prayers because with God they have what it takes to grab the trophy.
“We are not even shaken with South Africa and in fact we will continue where we stopped with them in the first game we beat them in the last Diamond tournament. My only plea to the nation is that they should put us in prayers and rally behind us,” said Kumwenda.
Simutowe also assured Malawians not to worry this time around as she wages war with South Africa.
“It is still painful to us because they won with the help of umpires. I can assure our fans that no room for South Africa to manoeuvre this time around,” said Simutowe.
The morale in camp looks high, as the girls were busy sharing jokes before their Wednesdays morning training session at Blantyre Youth Centre.
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