12 netballers selected for World Cup qualifier
Veteran Nakazwe, youngster Sakala make cut for Kenya outing
MICHAEL MIYOBA
Lusaka
NATIONAL netball team coach Lazarous Tembo has selected 12 players for the Africa Netball World Cup Qualifiers set for September 19-26 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Tembo has blended experience with emerging talent in a squad led by veteran Green Buffaloes shooter Beauty Nakazwe, while under-18 player Grace Sakala has also made the cut.
Sakala, who features for Napsa, is among several young players expected to bring energy to the squad as Zambia bids to earn one of the two qualification spots for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.
Zimbabwe-based shooter Elizabeth Bwalya is the only foreign-based player.
Green Buffaloes, fresh from their success at the regional club level, provide the largest contingent with five players while Napsa have contributed three.
Green Eagles have two representatives while Red Arrows have one. Prison Leopards have also contributed two players.
The final squad comprises six defenders, three midcourt players and three shooters.
Assistant coach Robina Chibebe is confident the team will clinch World Cup qualification.
“The girls are doing fine and they are ready to perform well in Kenya. We are going to fight to be among the top two to qualify for the World Cup,” Chibebe said.
Shooter Memory Mushanga said the team has been training hard to achieve its objective of qualifying for the World Cup.
Midcourt Harriet Muchuma is happy to make the final squad.
Zambia, ranked sixth in Africa and 17th in the world, will face strong opposition in Nairobi, with South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, hosts Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania and Nigeria also competing for the available World Cup places.
Final squad:
Defenders: Memory Musonda (Green Buffaloes), Esther Kunda (Green Buffaloes), Idah Namonje (Red Arrows), Faustina Mundia (Napsa), Mule Mukela (Green Buffaloes), Ivy Mwansa (Napsa)
Midcourt: Harriet Muchuma (Prison Leopards), Grace Sakala (Napsa), Justina Mwale (Green Buffaloes)
Shooters: Elizabeth Bwalya (Makate High Flyers, Zimbabwe), Beauty Nakazwe (Green Buffaloes), Memory Mushanga (Prison Leopards)
