Malawi Queens on Wednesday outclassed Botswana 67-23 to secure a second straight win at the Africa Netball Championships in Windhoek, Namibia.
Their 44-basket win could be a vital ingredient in their search for the continental title which has eluded them for the past nine years.
A better basket-difference might be considered to determine the champions in case some teams are tied on points at the end of the round robin format.
“It feels good to register big wins in this tournament which sometimes requires mathematical advantage to wear the crown,” said Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa.
On Wednesday , in a match monitored on African Netball Cup Facebook Page the coach made a single change to the starting line-up that triumphed 70-36 against Zambia in their opener on Tuesday as she featured defender Martha Dambo in place of captain Carol Mtukule-Ngwira, who played as a substitute.
United Kingdom (UK)-based shooter Joyce Mvula combined well with Jane Chimaliro up front while wing attacker Bridget Kumwenda and centre Sheila Dimba pulled the strings in the ball distribution section. Dambo, Grace Mwafulirwa and UK-based ToweraVinkhumbo-Nyirenda ensured Botswana’s attacks were thwarted at the right time in defence.
The Queens led 14-6 in the first quarter before increasing the tally to 33-7 and 51-28 in the subsequent segments.
In an interview, Mtukule-Ngwira said they enjoyed the game and they have since turned their focus to this afternoon’s encounter against Zimbabwe’s Gems.
“It was a wonderful game. Our opponents tried their best to score as many baskets as possible to frustrate us but we forced them on the back foot. We controlled the game and we played as a unit and that was what is needed in our next games as well,” she said.
Malawi last played Botswana at the continental championship in 2017 when they triumphed 71-39.
