As the countdown to Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) elections continues, Blantyre based presidential aspirant Khungekile Matiya has stepped up her campaign to oust incumbent Rose Chinunda by teaming up with Central Region Netball Committee (CRNC).

Matiya failed to unseat Chinunda in the previous Nam elections held in Lilongwe in 2010 but according to a Lilongwe based member of her campaign team, the Blantyre and District Netball Committee (BDNC) boss is set to sweep the votes this time round.

“She is better placed to win the elections this time because both CRNC and the Northern Region Netball Committee (NRNC) have joined her camp,” said the member, who did not want to be named.

True to the member’s claims, the media spotted Matiya and her central region crew heading for Mzuzu in a hired 26-seater bus on Thursday evening.  Aboard the bus was chairman for the CRNC Fanwell Katengeza, who is challenging Henry Kamata for the position of vice president.

Carol Bapu, also from Matiya’s camp will be challenging long serving Helene Mpinganjira on the position of general secretary.

The Matiya camp has reportedly offered positions of vice general secretary and vice treasurer to NRNC, which will in turn support Matiya and her camp for the top three positions.

Just like in the previous polls, the ice cool Chinunda is keeping her cards close to her chest, making it difficult for her challengers to know her strategy.

The elections have been slated for Saturday, April 13 in Mzuzu city.