Queens selection causes uproar

The rift between Malawi National Netball Team Coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa and Netball Association of Malawi officials took a new twist on Monday when a 12- member squad was unveiled ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The bone of contention was the inclusion of shooter Tendai Masamba at the expense of experienced Sindie Simtowe-Msowoya.

The rift between Malawi National Netball Team Coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa and Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) officials took a new twist on Monday when a 12-member squad was unveiled ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Netball fanatics reacted angrily on social media after learning that Nam was imposing some players on the coach.

The bone of contention was the inclusion of shooter Tendai Masamba at the expense of experienced Sindie Simtowe-Msowoya.

Sources indicated that Chawinga-Kaluwa opted for Simtowe-Msowoya, as she plays at either goal-attack or goal-shooter, at the expense of Masamba, who is naturally a goal shooter.

However, Nam felt Masamba, as a budding player, was supposed to be in the squad as part of development plans.

Chawinga-Kaluwa declined to comment on the issue but Nam General Secretary Isaac Chimwala said the issue is water under the bridge.

“As part of developing our future team, we suggested that Tendai should be part of the team so that she should gain exposure. Even by watching, that experience is good for her career,” he said.

Chimwala insisted that both Masamba and Simtowe-Msowoya would be part of the team travelling to Birmingham, England, for Commonwealth Games.

“We are saying both players will be part of the team,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Queens goalkeeper Neffie Kammata asked Nam and the coach to iron out their issues.

“This should have been sorted out long ago. Otherwise, such differences will affect the team’s performance,” she said.

The former Tigresses player also accused the team of lacking balance in attack, where two foreign country-based players Mwawi Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula and two locals Jane Chimaliro and Masamba have been picked.

“I think in defence there is only one player who is not fit. The player was not supposed to travel; otherwise, the likes of Towera Vinkhumbo and Carol Mtukule are the best. At centre court, those are the players that are good at the moment.

“However, in attack, we only have one natural goal attacker and if something happens to Jane Chimaliro then the Queens will be in trouble,” Kammata said.

She also blamed the coach dropping Kukoma Diamonds goal attacker Jessica Mazengera- Sanudi.

“She should have been part of the squad but she has been dropped under suspicious circumstances. I noticed during the Cosana Tri- Nation tournament that the coach was giving more game time to players who belong to her team. This was a deliberate move,” Kammata said.

The retired netballer also wondered at the inclusion of Nam President Abigail Shariff in the squad as Head of Technical.

“Why not pick a former player who has technical knowledge of the game?

Then we also have a team manager who has no knowledge of the game as a player. We should not be surprised if we fail to dislodge South Africa and Uganda,” she said.