The Malawi National Netball Team is set to face England and South Africa next month in Cape Town in preparation for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 2022.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary (GS) Isaac Chimwala said in an interview yesterday that the Malawi Queens’ participation follows a request from Netball England.

Queens in action against England in a previous match

He said: “England are set to camp in Cape Town in preparation for the Commonwealth Games and they asked us if they could play the Queens between June 28 and 30.

“During their camping, they will also face South Africa and we have also arranged a friendly against South Africa.”

Chimwala said they are waiting for a final confirmation from their England counterparts.

“We should get it today [yesterday] and thereafter we will engage Malawi National Council of Sports and Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association of Malawi on logistics, including funding,” he said.

The NAM GS  also said Namibia and Zimbabwe have  requested for friendly matches.

“Actually they want to come here for the matches mid next month,” he said.

Chimwala said the matches against England’s Roses and Spar Proteas of South Africa will help the Queens tune up for the Commonwealth Games.

He said: “Playing England and South Africa will provide us a stern test to see where we are ahead of the Games since they are both ranked above us.

“On the other hand, Namibia and Zimbabwe are behind us, so that will help us to balance up.”

Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa said the friendlies will help her try different combinations.

She said: “It will also provide us an opportunity to see which areas we need to work on ahead of the Birmingham Games.

“It is important that we play these friendlies for the team to be in shape and my prayer is that they will materialise. We are just keeping our fingers crossed.”

Australia-based lanky shooter Mwawi Kumwenda said considering that other teams have intensified their preparations for the Commonwealth Games, the friendlies are timely.

“I have not been informed about that yet, but it is good news and we stand to benefit a lot, especially against the big teams,” she said.

However, Kumwenda doubted her availability, saying: “Our league here winds up July end and I will join the Queens thereafter.”

The Queens went into camp at the weekend minus the three overseas-based players, namely Kumwenda and UK-based Joyce Mvula and Towera Vinkumbo-Nyirenda.

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