As the Malawi National Netball team under 21 is expected to participate in 2025 World Youth Cup , four key players will not be available in the squad due to over age.

The four key players include, Goalkeeper Shabelo Bengo, Wing Attacker Rellie Banda, Centre Marietta Harrison and Wing Defender Thokozani Makunganya.

Coach Christina Mkwanda confirmed that they will not be able to have four players because they will be over aged and that will not stop them have the best squad as their replacements are available.

“We already know that the girls will not be around, so we had to secure our slot and sort other things later, other players were left out into the squad but this time around we will take them and make the complete squad,” she said

General Secretary for netball association of Malawi Isaac Chimwala said that the association would support the coach’s plan

“We are planning to put the other players in squad according to their age range and we will put them in special training players with height to match the team against competition,” he said

However, the Former Netballer Neffie Kammata has backed the coaches for putting players who will turn 22 years old next year.

“We cannot say they were wrong because when choosing players they look into qualifications and under normal circumstances you take players who will play for the team about two to three years to avoid having coordination problems” she said.

She further said, the country has so many players that can replace the four

“There are a lot of young girls out there who can play and it is my hope to see the association provide them with enough resources so that they should prepare well” Kammata said

The four key players played a crucial role when the team finished as runners-up during the qualifiers in south Africa