Malawi National Netball Team rebuilding exercise has started with the fusion of senior and up-and-coming players headlining a 26-member squad ahead of the Spar Test Series against South Africa.
The series are scheduled to run from October 31 to November 3.
Leeds Rhinos shooter Joyce Mvula, Kukoma Diamonds goal-defender Towera Vinkhumbo, Martha Dambo and centre-court Thandie Galeta are among senior players named in the squad.
Shira Dimba of Prison Queens, the Diamonds duo of Bridget Kumwenda and Jessica Mazengera- Sanudi, and First Choice Tigresses shooter Tendai Masamba have been recalled.
Queens coach Joanna Kachilika has also included players from the Malawi Under-21 National Netball Team which qualified for next year’s Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar.
They include wing-defender Esther Phiri, goal-keeper Aisha Gama, goal-shooters Stella Materezi, Ethel Ng’ambi and goal-defender Shabel Bengo.
Kachilika has also included new faces such as Mphatso Kanyimbo, Holiness Mushane, Vanessa Chalira, Chifuniro Moses, Aida Phiri, Florence Gamuka, Alice Mvula, Lusako Mhango, Beatrice Kumwenda, Flora Chipeta, Mada Chipwato, Dorcas Mbendera and Awema Chikaonda.
Australia-based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda has been excused after giving birth recently.
The Giants Netball Club mentor said she planned to introduce more youthful players to the squad.
“My strategy is to build a team that plays in line with the modern game. The majority of the players called into camp are very youthful because our target is to build a strong and energetic team,” Kachilika said as she cited the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2027 Netball World Cup.
She said the technical panel felt that experienced players would help in the transition of the team as they would pass on knowledge and skills to up-and-coming players.
Netball Association of Malawi General Secretary Yamikani Khunga-Kauma said the team would be in camp for three weeks.
“Before the camp, the Queens were involved in online training sessions. They had training sessions at Reserve Bank of Malawi and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences gyms,” she said.
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