THE 2023 Netball World Cup is almost here, and to help count down to the tournament we here at Rookie Me Central will be previewing all the competing teams and seeing how they might fair at the tournament.

Today’s focus is on Malawi.

HISTORY OF MALAWI AT THE NETBALL WORLD CUP

2023 will see Malawi compete in its seventh World Cup after coming through the African Qualifiers, with its only loss coming to the pre-qualified World Cup hosts South Africa.

However, it has never finished higher than fifth, which was achieved back in 2007, which is something it will be looking to change this time around.

Last time at the World Cup it finished sixth.

RECENT HISTORY

Malawi’s most recent international fixture was the PacificAus series on the Gold Coast where it played Tonga, Fiji, Singapore, Zambia, Samoa, Kenya and Papua New Guinea. It ultimately finished second behind Tonga, however some of the key stars were off playing in the top domestic leagues of the world and did not take part in this tournament.

That was in back in May, which is significantly sooner than the last international match for some of the other countries at this year’s World Cup.

KEY PLAYERS

Mwai Kumwenda is coming off a strong domestic season in Australia and can give some insights into some of the key Australians Malawi may have to face in the World Cup, including some of her Melbourne Vixens team mates.

Towera Vinkhumbo also had a strong domestic season in the Netball Super League, where she played with many of the members of the Scotland Thistles at the Strathclyde Sirens, and will have some handy inside knowledge to use against Malawi’s first group stage opponent.

On the flipside Joyce Mvula made the big move from the United Kingdom to New Zealand for this year’s domestic season but got very little game time, so will be raring to go by the time she gets to Cape Town.

The Queens will be missing the experience of captain Caroline Mtukule, who has had to pull out of the tournament because of injury.

MALAWI FIXTURE (start times local)

Friday 28th July – 8pm – Scotland

Saturday 29th July – 6pm – England

Sunday 30th July – 11am – Barbados

MALAWI SQUAD

Mwai Kumwenda, Joyce Mvula, Jane Chimaliro, Sindi Simtowe, Takondwa Lwazi, Thandi Galeta, Martha Dambo, Grace Mwafulirwa, Towera Vinkhumbo, Laureen Ngwira and Madalisto Mkandawire

Reserves: Shabel Bengo, Salome Nkhoma and Florence Gamuka