Champions Kukoma Diamonds and runners-up Tigresses face off this Saturday in a potentially explosive encounter to mark the launch of the 2019 Rainbow Paints Blantyre and Districts Netball League (BDNL) at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC).
BDNL general secretary Annie Hanjahanja-Billie said the rivals’ match will be preceded by a tussle between third-placed Serenity Stars and fourth positioned Prison Sisters.
“However, the teams will not battle for points on this day as these games will be mere friendly games aimed at making the launch colourful,” she said.
Despite that, Diamonds assistant coach Noel Mussa and Tigresses team manager Helene Mpinganjira-Tasosa said the game will have all the ingredients of a high-profile match.
“Tigresses are our fiercest rivals and losing against them in a friendly match will be as disappointing as losing in a league decider. As you know, we had a 100 percent winning record last season and we do not want to soil our image with a loss ahead of the new season,” Mussa said.
On her part, Mpinganjira-Tasosa said: “We are geared for the encounter and we thank the league for giving us this opportunity that will help us tighten the loose ends before the new season throws off”.
Rainbow Paints sales executive Jangale Chiosa, whose company has painted the BYC netball court to the tune of K1.5 million, said they expect to announce an enhanced sponsorship package from last season’s K5 million.
Diamonds retained the league title with 18-straight wins last season and they beat Thunder Queens 48-37 in their last match. they improve.”
