Malawi Queens in Uganda for Africa netball tourney:Saenda upbeat
Malawi national netball team coach Griffin Saenda says he is confident his side will register a positive result at this year’s African Netball Championship.
The Queens arrived Sunday afternoon in Uganda where this year’s tournament will be staged between 24th and 30th June.
“We have prepared very well and I am hopeful that the girls will not disappoint. We have assembled a youthful side but Malawians shouldn’t doubt them we just need to give them all the support,” said Saenda.
“This is the right time to start building a new team as the days for some of our stars are coming to an end,”he added.
He has however expressed disappointment that Queens continental rivals South Africa will not take part at this year’s tournament.
“We are saddened that South Africa will not take part at this year’s tournament this is not good. We need such strong teams at such
tournaments because they give us a good test as we prepare for world biggest tournaments,” he said.
.International Netball Federation (Ifna) has nine full members in Africa, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe Out of these, six— Botswana , Malawi , Namibia , Uganda , Zambia and Zimbabwe have confirmed their participation.
Queens will miss the services of some of its key players including foreign based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda.
But Saenda said they have confidence in the players they have picked
The Queens will bank their hopes on England based Joyce Mvula who playes for Manchester Thunders.
The squad also has seasoned campaigners Martha Dambo (Thunder Queens ) , Beatrice Mpinganjira (Tigresses), Jessie Mazengera Sanudi (Kukoma Diamonds), Thandie Galeta (Thunder Queens) and Bridget Kumwenda (Kukoma Diamonds).
Also making the squad are Wezzie Mzemba (Kukoma Diamonds), Colleta Mwalilino (Civo), Queens off to Uganda for Africa tourney Julie Sambo (Blue Eagles Sisters) and Alinafe Kamwala ( Kukoma Diamonds).
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