Queens warned against delayed preparations

Netball analysts have warned that Malawi Queens’ delayed preparations for the imminent African Netball Championship scheduled for September 19 to 26 in Nairobi, Kenya, could be a recipe for disaster.

With only two weeks before the Malawi National Netball Team competes in the continental showpiece, the Queens are yet to start training.

The African Netball Cup will also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia and the Queens are required to finish within the top-two bracket to make the grade as they lost the privilege of automatic qualification following their recent drop to eighth ranking in World Netball.

But former Queens star Annie Mopiha and netball analyst Charity Phiri believe that having roped in a number of youngsters, the Queens needed ample time to rectify their performance gaps and strengthen the squad.

“The stakes are high at the African Netball Cup and we needed not to delay our preparations after the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. There are a lot of loopholes that required ample time to be filled and the camping delays are just adding more salt to the injury,” said Mopiha.

Phiri highlighted that the Queens’ defence badly needs restructuring and enough time to gel.

“If we are not careful, we might as well fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in decades,” she warned.

But in an interview, Queens expatriate coach Debbie Fuller said there is no need to worry because the squad has had a programme since the Commonwealth Games, which will help the team to be in an exceptional form if it has been promptly followed.

She said they are also hoping to keep the Queens in good shape through two international friendly matches they have planned against South Africa and Namibia before the continental showpiece.

Fuller added: “At this stage, it is positive that [Australia-based shooter] Mwawi Kumwenda-M’bwana will be available because her experience and shooting accuracy are a good weapon for us.”

Netball Association of Malawi general secretary Yamikani Kauma said the Queens will start camping on Tuesday, September 8.

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