‘We are building a cohesive U-21 Queens for World Youth Netball Cup’
By Precious Msosa
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) is leaving no stone unturned as it gears up for the upcoming 2025 World Youth Netball Cup scheduled for September in Gibraltar as it has announced a 23-member squad to start camping at Bhubesi in Lilongwe.
According to NAM general secretary, Yamikani Khungwa Kauma, the camping will start from June 15 to June 29 and is part of their broader programme to fine tune the team for the World Cup games.
“The goal is to build a cohesive unit ready for the World Cup. So the girls will be in camp for two weeks and will break in July from where they will have yet another camp,” she said.
Khungwa Kauma: We are fine-tuning the team
She said in their efforts to have the technical committee properly assess the girls, the team will then have a friendly game against Zambia in the same month of July.
However, Khungwa Kauma said the team will also be having some test matches with a local men’s netball team as one way of making the girls fit.
According to their statement, the technical panel consists of the following, head coach Noel Mussa and will be deputized by Christina Mkwanda, team manager Anne Kapatuka, team doctor is Gertrude Chilemba, fitness trainer is Vincent Shombe while Peace Kalua is the mentor.
The following is the squad:
Shooters; Stella Matelezi (Blue Eagles), Ida Mhone (Kukoma Diamonds), Gertrude Makunganya (Cedar Queens), Florence Jeke (Civonets) and Shira Nkhoma (Vanessa Sisters).
Mid Court; Melia Soko (Vanessa Sisters), Adija Juma (Tigresses), Lyness Mdulamitu (Prison Queens), Mestina Mtete (Tigresses) and Alinafe Chaima (Young Eagles).
Defenders; Esther Phiri (Giants NC), Aisha Gama (Blue Eagles), Christina Type (Pacers), Chimwemwe Dzanja Lioness, Elina Chigwe (Kukoma Diamonds), Joyce Magaitsa (Boma Stars), Martha Matupi (Vanessa Sisters), Chawanangwa Msiska (Mzimba Queens) and Martha Makoloni (Vanessa Sisters).
The squad also consists of players scouted from the NICO netball competition and they are, Nancy Lipenga (Moyale Barracks, Sarafina Mhango (Karonga Queens), Tabitha Msukwa (Mafco) and Ivy Kachinjika (Vanessa Sisters).
