Big guns ease into Airtel Money last 8
Favourites Tigresses and Kukoma Diamonds zoomed into the Airtel Money Netball Championship quarterfinals after dismissing their qualifying round opponents with sheer ease at Don Bosco in Lilongwe today.
Defending champions Tigresses beat Mafco 35-15 before triumphing over Alliance One 38-15 to emerge as group winners.
Tigresses coach Peace Chawinga said the victories were significant in the quest to win the trophy her team has won in two consecutive years.
“We are the only team that has won the competition since its introduction and we want to defend the trophy. Our progression is a vital step in our bid to reclaim it,” she said.
On its part, Diamonds defeated Thunder Queens 30-19 before defeating Green Sisters 32-12 to claim a top spot.
Diamonds captain Carol Mtukule said their mission is to win the trophy which has eluded them in the past years.
“We want to end the curse which blocks our desire to win the trophy. From our first games, I have the belief that we can win it. We played as a team and that gives us hope,” she said.
Central Region giants Civo Nets and Blue Eagles also made it into the last eight.
The quarterfinals to be played on Friday will see Tigresses face Thunder Queens, Kukoma Diamonds will play Mafco, Civo Nets meet Young Sisters while Eagles will confront Mimosa.
Civo beat Mimosa 50-17 before triumphing over Prison Sisters 40-14 while Eagles beat Lameck Sisters 48-11 and then Young Sisters 30-12.
Other quarterfinalists are Young Sisters, Mimosa, Thunder Queens and Mafco.
The champion will pocket K8 million (about $11 900) while the runners-up will take home K3 million (about $4 500). Third slot is going at K1.7 million (about $2 600) and forth position is K1.2 million (about $1 800).
