Alliance Capital defend South Airtel Money Netball crown
Alliance Capital Sisters on Sunday defended the Airtel Money Southern Region crown at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) to become the only team in the country that has won most regional trophies.
With a 52-36 triumph over Chilomoni Sisters in the regional finals, the team, formerly known as Woget Stars, has qualified for the national finals of domestic competitions for the fifth consecutive year.
During the Airtel Money national finals at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu from June 28 to 30, Alliance Capital Sisters will battle for the crown against Mimosa Queens from the North, Eastern Region’s Prison Sisters and the Centre’s Lioness Queens alongside seeded teams defending champions Complex Tigresses, Diamonds, Thunder Queens, Blue Eagles Sisters, Mafco Sisters, Civonets, Lameck Queens and Karonga Queens.
However, the team’s head coach Jean Matola said they will do anything to banish demons that have been preventing them from grabbing the national title that comes with a mouth-watering K7 million (US$15 556) prize.
Said Matola: “We know we are getting into the toughest stage of the competition but we are determined to give our all so that we can come back with a trophy. Most of the seeded teams have experienced national team players but we will give out our best performance.”
Apart from qualifying for the national finals last weekend, Alliance Capital took home the K1 million first prize while runners-up Chilomoni Sisters got K500 000.
Shizaella Sisters beat Blantyre Socials 16-4 in the third play off to receive the K300 000 third prize.
In individual awards, Alliance Capital Sisters’ Agnes Lile emerged as the best defender while Blantyre Socials’ Connis Mhone, Chilomoni Sisters’ Linda Kaponda and Shizaella’s Hawa Chikoya were named best shooter, best defender and over-all best player, respectively.
Airtel Money marketing manager Masiye Mazaza, who was accompanied by Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Carol Bapu and guest of honour Mtendere Magola, said they were impressed with the performance and conduct of players.
