Malawi Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa  says they are itching to strike back this morning as they face Zambia again in the PacificAus Netball Series semi-finals in Australia after yesterday’s defeat.

The world’s sixth-ranked Malawi National Netball Team went down 50-46 to 16th-ranked Zambia in an inter-group match, their second loss to the neighbours since a 54-56 defeat during the 2018 African Netball Championship.

During their last meeting in an international friendly in 2021, the Queens beat Zambia 76-44.

Another defeat in today’s last-four clash will not only deny the Queens a final berth, but also put them at a disadvantage in the next world netball rankings as the tournament is a rated event ahead of the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa this July.

Chimaliro attempts to score against Zambia yesterday

Chawinga-Kaluwa acknowledged the Queens have to up their game, especially on avoiding turnovers.

“Today [yesterday], we made some turnovers that could be easily controlled. We will do our best to rectify this problem when we have possession. We also need to sort out the other areas, which were not on point today,” she said.

The Queens have made the semi-final grade after topping their four-team Group A with six points, two ahead of second-placed Fiji. Samoa  are third on four points while Papua New Guinea anchor the table without a point.

In Group B, Tonga finished on top with eight points from four straight wins whereas Zambia settled for second slot on six points. Kenya took the group’s third place on four points as Singapore sit at the bottom without a point.

Yesterday, Chawinga-Kaluwa maintained her faith in the experienced first line-up comprising shooter Sindi Simtowe-Msowoya, goal-attacker Jane Chimaliro, wing-attacker Shira Dimba, centre Takondwa Lwazi, wing-defender Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango, goal-defender Martha Dambo and goalkeeper Laureen Ngwira.

Former Queens player Annie Mopiha yesterday said she hopes the Queens will not be complacent.

“It is important to keep working hard and keep fighting from start to finish. We should avoid to underrate our opponents like we did in the last match,” she said.

The PacificAus Series is the Queens’ only preparatory event ahead of the Netball World Cup.

Aside from that, it is a litmus test for six new faces in the 14-player Queens squad after four overseas professionals Mwawi Kumwenda, Joyce Mvula, Towera Vinkhumbo and Carol Mtukule Ngwira failed to make the Australia trip.

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