New Zealand, Jamaica stand in queens’ way

New Zealand’s Silver Ferns and the Sunshine Girls from Jamaica stand in Queens’ way in the quest for their maiden World Netball Cup (WNC) semi-final appearance.

Having sailed through the first phase of the tournament in which they finished top in Pool C, the Queens—who are ranked sixth in the world and second on the continent— plunged into the second chapter this morning against Uganda’s She-Cranes at Sydney Olympic Park in Australia in their opening Pool E match where they emerged victorius by 59 baskets to 53.

After today’s contest against the She-Cranes, the Queens will face New Zeland and Jamaica on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. The Ferns and Sunshine Girls are ranked second and fourth in the world respectively.

The top two teams from the pool will qualify for the semi-finals, so too the top two teams in the other pool which has Australia, England and Wales.

In an interview with The Nation on Monday from Sydney, Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua admitted that the real battle starts today.

“We will approach each game as it comes, putting strategies in place in accordance with the opponent. No team has come here to lose, every team wants to qualify for the semi-finals.”

Asked about her team’s chances of sailing through, the Queens’ legend simply answered: “High.”

New Zealand-based gangly shooter Mwawi Kumwenda will lead the Queens’ attack aided by the combative promptings of goal attacker Sindi Simtowe with centre Takondwa Lwazi conducting the orchestra from the heart of the court. Captain Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira will marshal the defence, Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda will guard the post whereas wing attacker Bridget Kumwenda and wing defender Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango complete the line-up.