Queens watch SA defeat Namibia
Malawi Queens were interested Blantyre Youth Centre spectators on Tuesday morning when rivals South Africa Spar Proteas opened their 2013 Africa Netball Championship chapter with a 75-34 defeat of Namibia.
Watched by sports director Jameson Ndalama and Principal Secretary Justin Saidi, among others, South Africa fielded an experimental side as coach Elize Kotze did not want to give the watching Queens’ clues.
The continent’s number two side led 17-8, 28-19, 55-26 before sealing the pool B win. Later, Zambia defeated Botswana 55-41 and Uganda beat Swaziland 69-38.
In what was a veiled reference to a potential meeting with the Queens, South Africa coach Kotze admitted that she experimented with her squad. Queens mentor Griffin Saenda watched the match with his charges.
“I think good coaching is about surprising your opponents all the time. It is about not showing your cards at the beginning,” said Kotze who replaced impressive shooter Tsakame Mbewe with Colleen Ferreira.
Malawi featured an experimental side when they beat Zimbabwe 68-43 on Monday at the Sports Complex. Lorraine Ngwira started as a goal shooter before shifting to defence.
