Eyebrows have been raised after Malawi National Netball Team captain Towera Vinkhumbo extended her stay in the United Kingdom beyond the just ended Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025.
Vinkhumbo was not part of the Queens’ delegation that arrived in Malawi on Wednesday, having left the UK Tuesday.
While Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) insisted that Vinkhumbo sought consent from the association, sources indicated that the skipper disappeared before the side left for Malawi.
Nam President Vitumbiko Mwandemange-Gubuduza downplayed the matter saying people were just making news out the issue as Vinkhumbo would be attending a short coaching course.
“The captain, Towera Vinkhumbo, stayed behind in the UK and will be attending a coaching course. Towera has a 6-month visa and will be taking a short-term course within the 6-month period to upgrade her coaching papers. Towera will be back before the end of her visa.
“Our reaction is one of full support as we believe that she will be able to bring back what she has learnt and contribute to the development of netball in Malawi,” she said.
However, the Nam President did not disclose full details regarding where Vinkhumbo would be attending the coaching course.
The Queens finished at the bottom of the four-team tournament after losing a bronze medal match to Uganda 45-50 at Copper Box Arena Sunday.
The loss came a week after the Queens shocked Uganda, with a 59-45 victory at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
It was Malawi’s first win over Uganda since 2019.
The Queens also lost narrowly to Spar Proteas of South Africa 55-58 Saturday.
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