By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) through the Malawi netball team caretaker Samuel Kanyenda have released the final squad for the Cape Town Vitality Netball World in South Africa.
The 15 member squad is full of old guns as many thought this is the time for the new blood, the only new face on the list is Madalitso Mkandawire of Blue Eagles netball club.
The squad has four professionals namely prolific shooters Mwai Kumwenda of Melbourne Vixens, Australia, Joyce Mvula of Central Pulse, New Zealand and defenders Caroline Mtukule of Team Bath, UK and Towera Vinkhumbo of Strathclyde Sirens, UK.
List of the local based players is as follows; Jane Chimaliro of Civo, Sindi Simtowe of Tigresses, in mid-court, Kanyenda has picked pintle sized Takondwa Lwazi of Blue Eagles,Thandi Galeta from Lionesses and Martha Dambo of Tigresses.
In defense,Grace Mwafulirwa of Tigresses,Laureen Ngwira of Tigresses and the new inclusion Madalitso Mkandawire of Blue Eagles netball team.
Three players have been included as reserves:Shabel Bengo of Kukoma Diamonds, Salome Nkhoma of Blue Eagles and Florence Gamuka of Kukoma Diamonds.
Malawi Netball team (the Queens) are in pool B alongside England, Scotland and Barbados.
Pool A has:Australia, Tonga,Zimbabwe and Fiji with Pool C:Jamaica, the host South Africa, Wales and Sri Lanka and Pool D have New Zealand, Uganda,Trinidad & Tobago and Singapore.
The first stage of the tournament will commence on July 28, 2023 with the teams competing in a round robin format.