By Benedicto Maguda

Blantyre, November 5, Mana: Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has announced that following an invitation from African Netball, Malawi Queens will participate in the upcoming African Cup Championship scheduled for December 9 to December 14 in Swakopmund, Namibia.

In a press statement on Monday, November 4, NAM stated that the championship cup will feature both women’s and men’s netball teams across Africa.

Number of teams across Africa such as Tanzania, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Uganda and South Africa have confirmed their participation in the African Cup Championship.

According to the press release, NAM will only send Malawi Queens to compete in the competition due to financial challenges, but NAM said is working extra hard to source money so that Malawi men’s netball team can also take part in the competition.

Sports analyst, Lester Banda said NAM had made the right move to allow the Queens to compete in the competition but added that there was a need for the team to prepare well for the best results.

“We need to have good preparations by having a quick friendly game before the time. This will make the team fit enough for the competition,” he added.

Banda added that the competition will be important for the queens as this will provide a good opportunity to build a strong team for other games ahead.

“This should be a stepping stone for upcoming competitions. I hope the coach will use local players and other professionals who are playing outside the country to make a good combination,” he said.

Banda therefore asked government and companies to support Malawi Queens with funds so that the team could have good preparations for the tournament.

Malawi Queens recently lost all three matches in the Spar Challenge International Netball Taste series in South Africa.