The Malawi national netball team, the Queens, returned to winning ways at the 2023 Vitality netball world cup after they demolished Barbados 84 – 48 at Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) on Sunday morning.
Interim coach Samuel Kanyenda returned Mwawi Kumwenda in the starting line-up after she was benched during the game against England on Saturday evening.
The Queens started the game on high note with center Takondwa Lwazi combining very well with goal attacker Mwawi Kumwenda and goal shooter Joyce Mvula and by the end of the first quarter the Queens led 20 – 10. In the second quarter the Queens increased their tempo and made their intentions of winning the match known, and at half time they led 43 – 22.
Mwawi Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula combined very well up front as a match made in heaven and scored goals for fun, by the end of the third quarter the Queens led 64 – 35. In the fourth quarter Joyce Mvula was substituted for Sindi simtowe who made her second appearance at the tournament and at the final whistle the Queens triumphed 84 – 48.
After the match Queens center Takondwa Lwazi was named as the player of the match.
Speaking after the game coach Samuel Kanyenda explained that after yesterday defeat against England the girls wanted to prove a point in today’s game.
‘’Yesterday was not a good day for us because we lost the game. When we were coming here, I told the girls to forget what happened yesterday and focus on today’s game. Today’s game plan was to start with Mwayi Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula upfront and it has paid off because they combined very well and scored many baskets,’’ explained Kanyenda.
The result means the Queens finish second in group B behind England and qualify for the next round. The Queens are likely to face Australia who top group A.