Queens date Uganda
Malawi Queens need physical and mental character, precision and cohesion if they are to shrug off Uganda in this morning’s 2013 Africa Netball Championship semi-final at Blantyre Youth Centre.
The Griffin Saenda side booked a date with the tough Ugandans after making it three straight wins in defeating Botswana 65-23 to top pool A on six points. But there can be no illusion that it will be a stroll on the court against a Ugandan side that was strong enough to scare South Africa when losing 46-39 in yesterday’s last match.
“We are ready to face any team that comes our way. We do not need to be told what we ought to do to make it. We will come up with the right strategy when meeting Uganda,” Saenda said in a postmatch interview.
Malawi, who made some changes from the side that edged Zambia on Wednesday, hardly broke sweat in sweeping three quarters 18-3, 38-10 and 51-18 respectively Jessica Mazengela, Bridget Kumwenda were dropped from the starting line-up for wing defender Joana Kachilika, Tina Kamzati and Takondwa Lwazi. Mazengela and goal shooter Lorraine Ngwira eventually earned their places in the team in the third-quarter following the resting of centre Beatrice Kadango and Sindi Simtowe respectively. Pool B top side South Africa date the opposite group’s second best side
Zambia who edged Zimbabwe 63-44 earlier in yesterday’s opening match at the same venue. Uganda, whose assistant coach Fred Mugarerwa complained of poor umpiring, were in uncompromising mood and even led in the second-quarter. The final of the five-day event will be played this afternoon.
“With the same umpires, we expect similar type of poor officiation whereby only one team is penalised for fouls,” Mugarerwa complained after having goalkeeper Marta Soigi sent out in the third-quarter for a foul. In another game played yesterday, Namibia beat Swaziland 53-30. It was Namibia’s first win whereas Swaziland are without a win in three matches.
