Queens squad trimmed for the Africa Netball Championship

Malawi Queens coach Griffin Saenda has trimmed his squad from 22 players to 17 as the national netball team prepares for the Africa Netball Championship to be held in Tanzania next month.

The Queens will go into camp tomorrow at Superior Hotel in Blantyre and the side is expected to be training at Blantyre Youth Centre.

Five players left out in the revised squad are Eneles Mdedzo Manda (Escom Sisters), Jessie Chioka (Blue Eagles), Cecilia Mtukule (Blue Eagles), Pilirani Msukwa (MTL Queens) and Ella Kameza of Woget Stars.

Civonets coach Connis Mhone, who was recommended by Saenda to drill shooters, is also missing on the list.

A source said Mhone could not be included because the team was facing a race against time to prepare for the event that will throw-off on May 7 in Tanzania.

“Specialised training requires a lot of time as such she has been left out,” said the source.

Meanwhile, Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) general secretary Helene Mpinganjira said they were still discussing with Australian side Peninsula Waves to release Mwawi Kumwenda for the two weeks event.

“We delayed to request for her clearance because of logistical problems. We are hopeful that she [Mwawi] would be released,” she said.

Last week Saenda said the Queens had a mission to achieve to maintain their top ranking both in Africa and the world. Queens are ranked first in Africa and fifth in the world.

The team was expected to go into camp about two weeks ago but the camping was called off after government declared a 30 days mourning period in hour of late president Bingu wa Mutharika.

The full list is as follows;
Shooters: Sindie Simtowe, Linda Magombo-Munthali (Bingu Tigresses), Joyce Mvula (Blue Eagles), Jenny Chimaliro (Civonets), Jessie Mazengera (Escom), Mwawi Kumwenda (Peninsula Waves-Australia).

Attackers: Beatrice Kadango (Bingu Tigresses), Tina Kamzati (Civonets), Thandi Galeta (MTL Queens), Maggie Sikwese (Mzuzu)

Defenders: Grace Mwafulirwa Mhango, Lauren Ngwira (Bingu Tigresses), Caroline Mtukule Ngwira, Towera Vinkhumbo (Escom Sisters), Beauty Chirwa (Civonets) and Joanna Kachilika (MTL Queens).