Giants Kukoma Diamonds underlined their return to form after winning the Presidential national netball trophy when they humbled rivals Tigresses 41-36 at Blantyre Youth Centre yesterday.
Diamonds, enjoying sponsorship from Capital Oil Refining Industries, made sure to give their sponsor another present after winning the GOtv Netball Champions League recently.
Forget the scoreline, the match was tight in all the quarters but some silly mistakes especially in the final third cost Tigresses the game.
Umpires Titus Wankhamwa and Joseph Kuwanda braved an intimidating atmosphere to ably handle the game even though the pair also attracted wrath from both sets of fans as their decisions were questioned time and again.
On the court, the first quarter was evenly balanced as it ended 8-up with both teams cautious in attack.
But the game exploded into life in the second quarter when Diamonds’ quartet shooter Alinafe Kamwala, goal attacker Jessica Mazengera Sanudi, wing attacker Eneles Mdezo Manda and centre Bridget Kumwenda combined neatly to inspire their side to lead 22-18 at half time.
Tigresses’ shooter Sindie Simtowe was questionably penalised on several occasions for disputable fouls. This allowed Diamonds to recover and maintain their lead when it would have been reduced.
Nevertheless, Tigresses attacked with purpose at the start of the third quarter with the likes of centre Licy Akidu Fiwa and wing attacker Beatrice Mpinganjira supplying telling passes to goal attacker Ellen Chibokho and Simtowe who were tightly marked by the goal defender Carol Mtukule-Ngwira, goalkeeper Towera Vinkhumbo and wing defender Wezzie Msiska.
At the end of the third quarter, Diamonds were 31-28 up.
Tigresses made changes at the start of the last quarter, shifting towering Lauren Ngwira from goalkeeping to goal shooting while Chibokho and Fiwa were rested.
Diamonds managed to contain the pressure and extend the lead to win the trophy for the fourth time since 2008. Tigresses have won the trophy three times.
Diamonds’ assistant coach Noel Mussa said the players were determined to win. He said the trophy was also dedicated to their sponsor, Cori.
Tigresses assistant coach Charles Mhango said a lot of factors contributed to their downfall.
In a third-place play-off match, most improved side Thunder Queens beat Civonets 44-38.
Civonets’ centre Rose Mkanda was named player of the tournament while Diamonds shooter Kamwala was voted the best in shooting.
Umpire Wankhamwa was voted the best.
Thunders contributed two players in individual awards when Joanna Kachilika was named best defender with Thandie Galeta winning the best centre accolade.
Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson James Chuma, its executive secretary George Jana and Netball Association of Malawi president Rose Chinunda graced the finals.
Leave a Reply