The Malawi National Netball team, the Queens, had to come from behind to defeat 10th ranked team, Scotland, 55-49 in a group B encounter of the 2023 Vitality netball world cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Interim Coach, Samuel Kanyenda, named a strong squad against, The Scottish Thistles, he started with Australia-based Vixens goal shooter Mwawi Kumwenda, Jane Chimaliro, Thandie Galeta, Takondwa Lwazi, Martha Dambo, Laureen Ngwira and Towera Vinkhumbo.
Speaking after the match, interim coach Samuel kanyenda explained that they had respect for Scotland but had a game plan on how to win the game.
‘’We knew that in the first, second and third quarter they will come hard for us, but in the fourth quarter they will start to have fatigue. That is what exactly happened because in the fourth quarter they faltered and had fatigue and we capitalized on that. There was a time we were uncomfortable because the margin was coming to 11/12 baskets, but the players assured us that they are in control and they are going to win,’’ explained Kanyenda.
The Scottish Thistles, started the game on high note as they did not give the Queens a chance to maneuver which led to coach Kanyenda substituting Mwai Kumwenda for Joyce Mvula and by the end of the first quarter Scotland led 17-9.
The Queens, on the other hand looked disorganized as they lost more balls in the final quarter. There was no coordination between defense, center and attack and coach kanyenda had to re-introduce Mwai Kumwenda to partner Joyce Mvula up front a move which proved more effective and made the Scottish Thistles uncomfortable. By the end of the second quarter the Queens reduced the margin and Scotland led 29-22.
In the third quarter, the Queens came out guns blazing, the combination of Mwawi Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula worked the magic in the final quarter while Takondwa Lwazi was the oil of the team at the center. By the end of the third quarter Scotland refused to be bullied by the Queens as they continue leading 41-35.
In the fourth and final quarter the queens worked their magic to claim a 55-49 victory which left fans at the Cape Town International Convention Center speechless and full of admiration for the Queens
Joyce Mvula was named as Player of the match as she registered 100 percent shooting accuracy. The result means the Queens are second in group B following England’s win of 90-29 against the Barbados.
The Queens return to action tomorrow to face favorites England from 06:00 pm