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Malawi’s netball queens, who are still delighting in the glory of having seen off their fancied South Africa counterparts 57-56 on Saturday, have vowed to fight with their lungs out in order to qualify for the final stages at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Team captain Mary Waya, who was at the heart of Malawi’s victory at the State Netball Hockey Centre with a lioness display, declared Sunday that her charges will fight all the way.
“New Zealand stand in our way in our quest for glory, but it will not be plain-sailing for them. We are not in a cold sweat on the prospect of facing them this Thursday.
“We have watched them play and we’ll have to work on tactics—that means maintaining concentration and playing our strengths against their weaknesses.
“I want to assure Malawians that we will fight like wounded buffaloes in the remaining games,” said Waya.
Commenting on the game against South Africa, who are ranked one of the best teams in the world, Waya said: “Pride was at stake. Even during pre-match talk, I told my colleagues that South Africa have had too many sweet days and it was time to silence them.
“Even when we were trailing in the first and second quarters, you could see the determination and the fighting spirit. We never lost hope and there was a time when we completely mesmerised the South Africans,” said Waya.
She also said the support from the bulk of the spectators, who included Malawians, gave them a big boost.
“It was so tense in the final minutes, but we never lost our nerve,” said Waya who was the match maker.
Coach Griffin ‘Zagallo’ Saenda also said the victory over South Africa has given her charges a lot of confidence.
“We still have to take all the remaining games seriously because anything can happen, but the crucial one will be against New Zealand and we are getting ready for them.
“It will be a David vs Goliath affair because New Zealand are the giants of the game and are ranked first in the world,” said Saenda.
Malawi beat Fiji who are ranked eighth on Monday in their third game. They will line up against Saint Vincent and Grenadiles in their fourth game Tuesday evening before winding up their Pool A fixtures against New Zealand on Thursday.
Malawi who lost 63-47 to England in their opening fixture, are on third position with two points. New Zealand are on second position, they also have two points but have a better goal difference. England are topping the table with four points.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago's table tennis men were in no mood for mercy, Sunday, crushing Malawi 3-0 in the Commonwealth Games men's team competition, at the Sports and Aquatic Centre, here in Melbourne, Australia.
Reeza Burke clobbered Enos Chaika 11-2, 11-2, 11-2. US-based Khaleel Asgarali hammered William Nyirenda 11-2, 11-1, 11-6. And Aaron Edwards whipped Floriano Massah 11-3, 11-4, 11-4.
In boxing, Osgood Kayuni lost by three points to a New Zealand boxer while Scotland-based fighter Fundo Mhura, who won his first battle against Welsh Aaron Thomas on Friday lost his second fight against a Nigerian ring-fellow.
According to team leader, Hellen Mpinganjira the duo are out of the competition while the other boxer Chimwemwe Chiotcha made his debut Monday.
Susan Tengatenga, who runs in 100m and 200m finished sixth out of seven runners in her 100m heat’s Sunday and she will run again Tuesday in a 200m heat.
Mpinganjira also said the male bowling team of Bashir Sharif and Sushia Khamisa lost to Australia, Canada and New Zealand while Zelda Humphreys is still in contention.
Asked on the problem for the many losses, Mpinganjira said the overall problem is that Malawi lacks good exposure in its sports development efforts.
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