Three Football Association of Malawi (Fam) officials, including General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, left the country on Saturday to attend the 67th Fifa Congress in Manama, Bahrain.

Gunda, alongside Fam Executive Committee members, Daud Suleman and Daud Mtanthiko, will also attend the Confederation of African Football (Caf) extra-ordinary general meeting at Bahrain Convention Centre.

Mtanthiko confirmed that the trio will attend both meetings which are expected to tackle crucial issues regarding Fifa statutes.

“Among others, we will also attend the Caf extra-ordinary meeting scheduled on Monday [yesterday]. The main congress will take place from May 10 to 11. Among the so many issues to be discussed, the congress is expected to vote on proposals for Fifa statutes, including the request to lift the suspension to play international matches in Iraq.

“Delegates will also scrutinise and approve Fifa budget for 2018,” he said.

Mtanthiko backed Malawi’s presence at the congress.

“Just as all associations, Malawi’s attendance is very crucial as we need to voice our opinions on matters of the statues that are being reviewed. We also need to thoroughly review the budget and see whether or not it is squarely speaking to our football development plans,” he said.

Sports Writers Association (Swam)—a mother body for the local sports media— will facilitate the inaugural Airtel Top 8 Cup Media Awards to ensure professionalism in sports reporting.

The cup’s sponsor, Airtel Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Communications Manager, Norah Chavula- Chirwa, confirmed through a statement, the handing over the coordination of awards to Swam.

“As a professional body for sports journalists in the country, we felt that Swam was the right authority to coordinate the awards by setting the appropriate eligibility and submission standards for participating journalists,” Chavula- Chirwa explained.

According to Chavula- Chirwa, the media awards will have categories for best print, radio, television, online and photojournalist with the prize for each category pegged at K200, 000.

Swam Chairperson, Peter Kanjere, said the partnership with Airtel would go a long way in uplifting Malawi sports journalism standards. Swam is affiliated to the International Sports Press Association headquartered in Switzerland.

“In respect of our constitutional mandate to encourage, promote and objectively reward sports journalism excellence in Malawi, there will be an independent panel of renowned media trainers from the University of Malawi who will critique all submissions for the inaugural Airtel Top 8 Cup Media Awards.” Kanjere further explained.

Meanwhile, the long awaited cup will come into life this weekend after the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) released match-day venues for all quarterfinal matches.

After enduring a poor start in the TNM Super League, Nyasa Big Bullet meet Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Bullets collected a point from possible six after losing to Moyale 1-0 on Sunday and a goalless draw against Chitipa United on Saturday.

Silver were not impressive either after collecting two points following their draws against Premier Bet Wizards and Azam Tigers in the Southern Region over the weekend.

In sharp contrast, brothers in arms, Moyale and Mafco, after their winning start to the league, face off in a first quarter-final leg of the cup at Chitowe Stadium on Saturday.

Mafco beat Civil Sporting Club 1-0 on Saturday.

In Sunday’s games, cup specialists, Be Forward Wanderers will begin their campaign at Balaka Stadium when they date Azam Tigers whereas Kamuzu Barracks date Blue Eagles at Civo Stadium.

The second leg of the quarterfinal matches will be played next weekend and thereafter, Fam will release the venues of the semi-finals set for the weekend of May 27 and 28. The final is slated for June 3.

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) Treasurer, Tiya Somba Banda, has said the first- ever top-flight league match at Mulanje Park Stadium between Premier Bet Wizards and Silver Strikers, grossed a satisfactory K1,531,000.

Both Wizards and Silver received K350,936.90 after the TNM Super League match.

Banda said the historical match has given them hope that spectators from Mulanje and surrounding areas would be gracing matches at the venue, thereby maximising teams’ revenue.

Banda said they were re-thinking of revising gate fees after the first game was sold out.

“First of all, it is quite encouraging that the game was sold out. And this gives us an opportunity to re-think the pricing of future games. Secondly, it is very encouraging to bring the Super League product right to the foot of Mulanje Mountain and the surrounding areas,” he said.

Banda also clarified that the newly-constructed stadium would be using stewards from Blantyre as the district has no trained stewards.

The presence of Blantyre based stewards at Mulanje Park raised eyebrows as some quarters felt that it was expensive to transport them from the commercial city.

“At the moment, we do not have trained stewards in Mulanje, hence the Blantyre contingent will be serving Mulanje Park up until we train people from the district and the surrounding areas,” he said.

Wizards and Blantyre United have opted to use Mulanje Park Stadium for their home games.

Eight teams reached the quarterfinals of the Southern Region T20 Inter-club Cricket Tournament over the weekend.

The tournament’s coordinator, Saeed Limdawala, confirmed that MSC White, MSC Orange, MSC Yellow, MSC Grey, MSC Silver, Indian Sports Club and Oriental Cricket Club have progressed to the next round.

“As organisers, we are delighted with the spirit and the performance of the teams. The teams are able to give out their best despite the fact that they will only get medals because we don’t have a sponsor. Their performance was terrific and we anticipate more thrilling action,” he said.

During the games, MSC Blue made 139 runs in 20 overs and in response, MSC Yellow made those runs in 19.4 overs.

Yellow won by three wickets.

Minhaz Patel made 38 runs whereas Faisal Panjavani and Faraz Junejo supplied 28 runs and 23 runs, respectively for Blue.

Yellow replied through Kamran Khan’s 24 runs and Afzal Khan’s 22 runs.

Javid Limdawala, Munir Kharodia and Rizwan Patel took two wickets each.

MSC Orange defeated Indian Sports Club after making 154 in 20 overs.

ISC were all out in 135 runs.

MSC Brown beat Oriental Cricket Club (OCC) by six wickets.

OCC made 89 runs in 20 overs.

In another match, MSC Grey beat MSC Silver having made 110 runs in 20 overs.

In reply, MSC Silver got all out in 78 runs.

MSC Gold defeated OCC Lankan by 49 runs. Gold made 178 runs while OCC were all out in 129 runs.

MSC White smashed MSC Green when they made 205 runs in 20 overs whereas their counterparts were all out in 64 runs.

Zambian boxer, Tshimanga Thsimungu, will face Limbani Masamba in an eight-round super welter weight non-title contest scheduled for M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe on June 4.

The Zambian has replaced South Africa-based Malawian boxer, Ernest Msoliza, whose demands have put off promoter, Mike Chimaliza of New Dawn Boxing Promotions.

“After Msoliza’s South Africa-based managers made huge demands, New

Dawn has looked to Zambia for a replacement. Msoliza manager demanded an air fare plus hotel accommodation. But we could not manage due to lack of sponsorship,” he said.

Chimaliza engaged matchmaker Steve Mawenzi Msiska to search for Msoliza’s replacement.

“Thsimungu is one of the top boxers in Zambia with a very good record and he is a southpaw. Mawenzi initially presented me with Tanzanian boxers but I refused because being a man of quality, I thought we needed to give Malawian fans quality. Mind you, it is the Zambian [Alfred Mughogho] who humiliated Limbani at BICC [Bingu International Conference Centre] recently,” he said.

Masamba said he was looking forward to the fight against the Zambian who has 11 knockouts and two defeats.

Nyasa Big Bullets’ technical panel has promised to fix the side ahead of the Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinal tie against Silver Strikers set for Bingu National Stadium on Saturday.

Bullets endured a bad start to the 2017 TNM Super League following their 1-0 defeat to Moyale Barracks and a goalless draw against newcomers, Chitipa United, in Mzuzu last weekend.

Bullets Assistant Coach, Elia Kananji, said they were equally disappointed with the results and were geared to make amends in the Airtel Cup.

“It was not a good way to begin the league and we are working on the shortfalls which we noted. We are appealing to the Bullets’ faithful not to lose hope but rally behind us. We promise to make them happy in the Airtel Cup,” he said.

After the match, Bullets Coach, Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan, also echoed Kananji’s remarks.

“The team is flat and I accept that. We have problems but I cannot discuss them in the media. I feel the biggest mistake one can make is to say that ‘my team is finished,” he said.

Silver Strikers Team Manager, Francis Songo, told a local radio station that they were determined to humiliate Bullets further.

“We know it is going to be a good match because both teams play a passing game. We have a youthful squad and we will try our best to come out victors,” he said.

In the other quarter-final ties, Mafco will host brothers in arms, Moyale at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa on Saturday whereas Be Forward Wanderers face Azam Tigers at Balaka Stadium on Sunday.

On the same day, Blue Eagles will take on Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe.

The second leg matches will be played next weekend.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) will release venues after the weekend.

Anxiety has gripped Be Forward Wanderers’ camp as the team has left its customary training ground—the Country Club Limbe (CCL)—for Chiwembe Ground.

Usually, Wanderers train at CCL in the morning before paying way for Tigers in the afternoon.

Now Wanderers’ move to Chiwembe has been read as a tactical withdrawal as the Nomads do not want to share the facility with their Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinal opponents, Azam Tigers. Wanderers meet Tigers tomorrow at Balaka Stadium.

Lack of enough training grounds is a concern in the country.

Tigers Technical Director, Robin Alufandika, accused Wanderers of following them wherever they train.

“We don’t have problems to use the same facility because we understand the situation in the country. However, it bothers us that our friends [Wanderers] keep on following us. We always train at Country Club Limbe but they rotate training grounds. Anyway, we will reduce them to their size in the cup,” he said.

Wanderers Team Manager, Steve Madeira, said they shifted the training grounds on their team doctor’s recommendation.

“The team doctor suggested that we should try another venue as the surface at Country Club Limbe is not in a perfect condition. We just want to see if we can avoid injuries during training. Tigers might be afraid that is why they are thinking that we keep on following them. We often rotate training grounds,” he said.

Ironically, Alufandika is a former Wanderers team manager whereas Madeira served in a similar position at Tigers a few years ago.

Wanderers have been hit by injuries. Most players pick injuries during training. Peter Wadabwa, Wanderers’ new catch from Tigers, Yamikani Chester and Ishmael Thindwa missed the opening weekend of the league due to injuries.

However, Chester might make his competitive debut against his former side while Wadabwa has started light training. Jabulani Linje and Captain, Francis Mlimbika, who picked minor injuries over the weekend, are also expected back.

Following their 2-0 win over debutants Chitipa United on Saturday, Premier Bet Wizards have vowed to make Mulanje Park Stadium a slaughter house for visiting teams in the TNM Super League.

Wizards briefly topped the table on Saturday with four points from two games having, last week, drawn 0-0 against Silver Strikers at the same venue.

On Saturday, an early goal from Misheck Botomani, who headed in an Ian Chinyama corner-kick in the first minute, and Nikiza Aimable second-half strike were enough to silence Chitipa.

The visitors went into the game confidently having forced giants, Nyasa Big Bullets, into a goalless draw during their league opener last weekend.

Wizards Coach, Trevor Kajawa, said their home ground was strategic and will make it possible for them to achieve their mission.

“People in Mulanje have welcomed us wholeheartedly for taking Super League games to this area. We can only repay them with a good performance. We want to make this venue our fortress where giants should be brought back down to earth. We want to be collecting maximum points here regardless of the opponents we meet. This season, we don’t want to be mere participants but we want to compete for the title,” he said.

Kajawa also hailed Bullets on-loan trio Aimable, wing-back Chinyama and holding midfielder Tilekeleni Anzeru Joseph for settling easily in the team.

The trio was magnificent during the game with Joseph thwarting Chitipa’s attacks whereas Chinyama operated well on both wings. Nikiza was a constant threat to Chitipa’s defender.

“At Bullets, they were playing a different game and we also have our style and they are gelling well,” he said.

Chitipa Coach, Kondwani Mwalweni, who was given marching orders midway through the second-half for protesting against a referee’s decisions, said the early goal from Botomani unsettled the visitors.

“We then tried to come back but we failed because at times, there was no coordination between strikers and midfielders,” he said.

Squash Malawi has departed from the routine of rewarding female players for their mere participation in tournaments by holding the first-ever Ladies Squash Championship at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.

Squash Malawi Publicity Secretary, Chiku Nkutumula, said the intensity of the games provided a reminder of the days when top female squash players, such as Sharon Chishimba and Emily Chifwembe from Zambia, came to town.

Nkutumula said the ladies were awesome in organisation, determination to play and surprising in delivery.

Lucille and Golda Kavinya were the unknowns but respected packages, Ennet Chipungu, Alinafe Banda, Linda Kapanda and

Priscilla Kandoole represented the usual threat.

Tendai Rashid, Christina Mkutumula, Tamanda Chikopa and Kahaki Jere formed the spanner in the works.

In the final, Chipungu defeated Banda by three straight sets.

Speaking during the prize presentation, Squash Malawi President, Jimmy Kawaye, could not hide his amazement and admiration.

“Hats-off to the ladies for the squash spectacle. The level of squash displayed was absolutely unimaginable. We have seen strength, resolve and technique,” he said.

Rodgers Siula of Ovation Advertising pledged continued commitment to squash support.

Kukoma Diamonds have invited five youthful players from Northern Region sides to undergo trials with the Blantyre netball giants.

Diamonds regrouped three weeks ago for the forthcoming season, whose kick off is yet to be decided.

The team’s Physical Fitness Trainer, Griffin Saenda junior, whose father coaches the side, said Diamonds have a strategic recruitment plan.

“Firstly, we want two senior players who can easily be drafted into the team. Then we also want at least three or four youngsters who have the potential to master our style of play,” he said.

Saenda junior said the identities of the players would be released later.

“We are keeping their identities under wraps because we don’t want some teams to snap them from our noses,” he said.

The fitness trainer said Diamonds want to continue dictating regional and national events.

“Through the support we get from our sponsor, Capital Oil Refining Industries, and the united spirit among the players, I believe we can achieve this,” he said.

Last season, Diamonds defended the Presidential Netball Cup, won the Airtel Money National Netball Trophy (now defunct) and Rainbow Paints Southern Region Netball League championship.

Seasoned golfer Bashir Shariff showcased his skill on the greens to win this year’s Nico Life Senior Golfers’ Championship at Country Club Limbe on Monday.

The tournament attracted 77 golfers, including 26 seniors.

Despite being meant for seniors, Nico Life allowed other players to compete in several sections.

In the seniors’ section, Shariff scored 41 points to emerge champion whereas Don Whayo was on second position with 39 points.

Sope Kayira finished on third position with 38 points.

Shariff said he endured a torrid time on the greens but calmness and experience saw him through.

“It was not easy but I am glad I made it. I salute Nico Life for taking interest in senior golfers’ affairs because we are the ones who can pass on the skill to youngsters,” he said.

In the men’s open category, Hudson Kantwanje emerged champion with 46 points followed by Salimu Rashid on second position with 42 points.

In the ladies section, Teri Amaro won the title with 42 points whereas Bose Kamphulusa was on second place with 40 points.

Nico Life Chief Executive Officer, Eric Chapola, pledged continued support to the tournament.

Weightlifters hoping to represent Malawi at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia must meet the qualifying time for the global event.

Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi (WBAM) General Secretary, Harold Mwayang’ana, noted that winning a local national championship might not be enough for the athletes to earn selection into the Games squad.

He said this ahead of a qualifying tournament which the association is scheduled to hold at Blantyre Youth Centre on May 27.

Mwayang’ana said there was no use in selecting unqualified weightlifters for the Games.

“We don’t want to go to Australia with a hopeless squad. We want to go there with hope. Therefore, we have communicated to the weightlifters to keep checking their progress during preparations because winning the local championship will not be enough if they fail to meet the requirements,” he said.

Mwayang’ana said the association was yet to decide on how many weightlifters would be picked for the Games.

“The decision will depend on a number of factors, including funding and how many weightlifters have met the standard qualifying time,” he said.

Normally, outstanding weightlifters drawn from such events are selected for major events, including the Commonwealth Games.

Weightlifting is among the sport codes that Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) has earmarked for the Games.

The international multi-sport event will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia from April 4 to 15 2018.

The Malawi National Football Team, the Flames Coach, Ronny van Geneugden, has hinted that his charges might regroup on May 29.

The Flames want to prepare for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ home qualifier against Comoros Islands on June 10 followed by the Cosafa Castle Cup from June 25 to July 9 in South Africa.

In view of the forthcoming games, Van Geneugden on Tuesday hinted on changes to the squad.

He said the squad would reflect his recent scouting mission in the TNM Super League and Airtel Top 8 Cup.

“In the next few days, there will be an official announcement about camping which might start next week. Officially, we are looking at May 29. We will try to play one or two friendly games to show our game-plan, which we tried to show against Madagascar but we did not succeed,” he said speaking at HTD Limited in Blantyre where he was presented with his official car [Kia Sorento CRDI].

Commenting about the vehicle which Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has bought him at a subsidised price of K12.5 million, Van Geneudgen, said the car would ease his mobility.

“I am also a coach. Not just an office coach but somebody who wants to be with the teams and players to watch them during games and training sessions. For instance, last week I watched Blantyre United training session and I also went to Dwangwa and Lilongwe, so the vehicle will come handy,” he said.

HTD Sales Manager, Sandra Goto, said it was their corporate endeavour to support football all over the world.

“It has always been our wish and our goal that Malawi should become a big team in the world. So when we heard that they were looking for a car we decided to support them. The particular vehicle is a Demo Unit vehicle. It has a shelf price of over K50 million. But since it had few kilometres, we decided to put it at K22 million. For Football Association of Malawi, we decided to put it at K12.5 million,” he said.

Fam General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, applauded HTD for its gesture towards football development.

“The coach is now settling in and should be able to execute his plans.

He will be able to follow through his programmes in the country,” he said.

Royal Motors has donated a kit to Inter-Club Cricket League’s umpires ahead of this weekend’s semi-finals and final.

Royal Motors representative, Arafat Muhmmad, said the donation was in appreciation of the umpires’ role in the success of the competition.

“Besides that, we want to give honour to the teams and spectators. This can only be done if our umpires are also well dressed. We are excited with how events have unfolded in the competition and we look forward to the semi-finals and final,” he said.

The league’s coordinator, Saeed Limdawala, hailed Royal Motors for the support, saying it will add colour to the final.

“Oftentimes, we tend to forget the umpires and yet they are the ones that handle our games. They need to be well-dressed to handle the games with confidence,” he said.

According to the semi-final draw, Mpingwe Sports Club (MSC) White will face MSC Gold whereas MSC Orange date MSC Grey.

The games will be played at Mpingwe Sports Club.

Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has rejected Mary Waya’s sponsorship proposal for her exchange programme trip to England.

The netball legend, through the Mary Waya Foundation and Academy, requested for K900,000 from the Sports Council for her to undertake various activities including coaching clinics and inspirational speeches at The Downs Netball Club in England.

Waya wrote to the Sports Council on May 8, 2017 requesting the assistance.

“I would like to bring to your attention that I have been invited to the United Kingdom by the Downs Netball Club for a series of inspirational talks and coaching events that will take place in June 2017.

“The visit is very important to increase the visibility of Mary Waya Netball Academy and raise my profile as a netballer in Malawi. I believe this is a huge recognition of Malawi’s talent in netball which is worth exporting to other countries,” read the letter in part.

Waya could not be reached for her comment.

However, the Sports Council, through its Executive Secretary, George Jana, stated that it was not in a position to provide funding.

“While Council fully appreciates the work that Mary Waya Foundation and Academy are doing in the country and while further appreciating potential benefits your tour of England would eventually accrue to the country at large, we regrettably from a policy premise, not be in a position to assist your organisation as it is a private entity or no connections to the Council in its structures. However, since your activities border on development of netball, you may wish to seek and obtain the required assistance from or through the Netball Association of Malawi,” reads the letter dated May 9 2017 and signed by Jana.

When contacted Jana said he was engaged in a meeting.

WAS it a bit of luck that from the plethora of attackers that Be Forward Wanderers have, it was defender Lucky Malata who sent them to the semi-final of the Airtel Top Eight Cup at the expense of Azam Tigers?

The 1-1 result means Wanderers are still on course to live up to their reputation of winning almost every cup in its inaugural year. Nomads have progressed on a 3-1 aggregate score having won the first leg 2-0 at Balaka Stadium last week.

Malata put Wanderers in the lead after heading home a Joseph Kamwendo corner kick in the eighth minute at Kalulu Stadium. Tigers goalie William Thole had no time to react as the towering defender nodded in the opener.

Luka China wasted Tigers’ best chance in this half after he beat Wanderers’ goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa but his effort went wide. Wanderers substituted Jafalie Chande for Khumbo Ng’ambi, Yamikani Chester for Mike Kaziputa and Alfred Manyozo jnr for Rafiq Mussa whereas Tigers introduced Innocent Msowoya for Precious Phiri and Willy Saenda for China.

Tigers’ Peter Katsonga scored a stunner that caught Wanderers’ defence and goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa flat-footed in the 77th minute. Wanderers Coach Yasin Osman said it was a difficult match and they were looking forward to the semi-finals.

“Our approach was okay after the first leg but the moment we scored we did not finish off our counterparts and we gave them room to come back into the game,” he said. Tigers Technical Director Robin Alufandika said they missed it in the first leg. “Anyway we will look forward to other cups,” he said.

Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has hailed Nico Life Insurance Company for sponsoring the soldiers’ Inter-Sports Unit Festival every year.

MDF representative, John Kaputa, made the remarks in Blantyre on Friday when Nico Life donated K1 million to the MDF ahead of the annual sports festival to be staged on May 29.

“The relationship between MDF and Nico Life dates back to seven years ago when this marriage started. We are thankful to Nico Life Insurance for the support because our units have already started preparations,” Kaputa explained.

“Last weekend, I was at Changalume Barracks to monitor how preparations have started. They were staging indoor games to select their players, so too are the other stables.”

Nico Life Manager for Individual Life, Steven Kanyoza, said they support the sports festival because MDF was one of their major partners.

“Most of the women and men in the Malawi Defence Force have policies with us, so we said ‘why not support them when it comes to the games’,” he said.

Kanyoza said Nico Life was proud to be associated with sports.

Kukoma Diamonds have hit a snag in their quest to sign all-rounder Lauren Ngwira from Tigresses Netball Club following reports that she cannot be sold.

Diamonds General Secretary, Chimwemwe Bakali, confirmed the development at Blantyre Youth Centre on Saturday morning when the team’s officials and a delegation from their sponsor, Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori), met the players.

“We met formally to discuss our goals this season and we were assuring the players that we will maintain them. We also outlined our plans to beef up the squad with two experienced players, including Lauren Ngwira. However, we seem to be facing obstacles since our counterparts have indicated that she signed a four-year contract and she cannot be sold,” he said.

Bakali said Diamonds’ Executive Committee would discuss on how to tackle the issue as players were also free to switch sides.

“Since we are communicating with Tigresses, I cannot pre-empt more. We need to see the way forward. We have the assurance from the sponsor that we can sign any player of our choice,” he said.

Cori Sponsorship Coordinator, Violet Kapolo, said they were following Ngwira’s issue with keen interest.

“We want our team to remain a force to reckon with. The officials have been briefing us on what is happening on the ground, especially on possible transfers. Our little understanding of the game is that a player can be sold if the valuation is met. Signing a long-term contract is not enough [reason] to force a player to stay,” he said.

Tigresses Team Manager, Helene Mpinganjira – Tasosa, confirmed rejecting Diamonds’ request for transfer discussions.

“We answered them that we cannot discuss the transfer because we are outside the transfer window. Besides, she is still contracted to us for four years,” he said.

Ngwira refused to comment.

Last year, Ngwira was also the subject of a failed transfer to Alliance Capital Stars on similar grounds.

Azam Tigers remained positive of a better season despite being booted out of the Airtel Top 8 Cup.

Tigers exited the competition 3-1 on aggregate after losing 0-2 to Be Forward Wanderers at Balaka Stadium last week.

In the return leg of the quarter-final, Kau-Kau outfit could only manage a one-all draw at home Kalulu Stadium on Saturday.

Tigers Technical Director, Robin Alufandika, said their performance at Kalulu Stadium gave them hope that they can mount a serious challenge in the remaining cups and the TNM Super League.

“We have lost some good players and I cannot dwell on those that have left the team but rather the ones that are with us. Our performance, especially in the second-half, was impressive. We were just unfortunate that we gave away a goal, otherwise we could have overturned the tables. From this performance, we are certain that we will do well both in the league and other competitions,” he said.

Wanderers Team Manager, Steve Madeira, said Nomads relaxed in the second-half and this gave room for Tigers to capitalise on.

“Nevertheless, the most important thing was to progress and we did that. We are now looking forward to the semi-final draw and we will be prepared to face any team according to the draw,” he said.

At Kalulu Stadium, Wanderers went in front in the eighth minute through a Lucky Malata’s goal having headed in a Joseph Kamwendo’s corner-kick.

In the second-half, striker Peter Katsonga equalised for Tigers through a stunner that outstretched goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa failed to save.

Blue Eagles Sisters centre-court star, Takondwa Lwazi, has excused herself from the Malawi Netball Queens’ camp training as she is pre-occupied with her wedding preparations.

The Queens regrouped at Blantyre Youth Centre on Saturday ahead of the Africa Nations Championship, which is also the 2018 Commonwealth Games qualifying tournament.

Malawi Queens Assistant Coach, Sam Kanyenda, said 23 players have reported for camp.

“It is very unlikely that we will have Takondwa Lwazi on board because she is currently busy with personal affairs as you know that she is getting married soon. Other players, including Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango and Lauren Ngwira, also excused themselves that they may delay in reporting for camp,” he said.

In Lwazi’s absence, Kanyenda said players such as Beatrice Mpinganjira, Thandie Galeta-Saenda and Bridget Kumwenda can fill the void.

“We have a lot of players that are fighting for the same position and this is healthy on our part,” he said.

Kanyenda also stated that the squad was named after liasing with Head Coach, Griffin Saenda Senior, who is in China for a breather.

“Even before he [Saenda] left, we met and analysed the situation. We had to pick players basing on previous performances since we are in off-season,” he said.