KIA Atlas Head Coach Kelvin Wahera says his side’s upcoming friendly match against Vanessa Sisters will provide the perfect motivation and test as the team continues preparations for its maiden season in the 2026 FDH Bank Netball League.

KIA Atlas will face Vanessa Sisters on 15 May 2026 at Bingu Netball Court in Lilongwe, with the match scheduled to start at 3:00 PM.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Wahera described Vanessa Sisters as one of the strongest sides in the country following their impressive top-four finish in last season’s FDH Bank Netball League.

He said facing such an experienced and competitive side will inspire his players to raise their performance levels and better understand the demands of elite netball.

“Vanessa Sisters are a very good and well-organised team. They finished among the top four in the FDH Bank Netball League last season, so playing against them will motivate our players to work extra hard and gain confidence ahead of the new season,” said Wahera.

He added that the Vanessa Sisters fixture will provide a clearer picture of the team’s readiness ahead of the upcoming FDH Bank Netball League season.
According to Wahera, the match will allow the coaching staff to assess combinations, evaluate player performances under pressure, and identify areas that still require improvement before the league gets underway.

“We are still building the team and strengthening combinations across the court. Playing against an established elite side like Vanessa Sisters will give us a real league-type test and help us measure our progress,” he said.

He further explained that KIA Atlas has been using preparatory matches to improve tactical discipline, communication, and consistency ahead of the new campaign.

“We have been playing several friendly matches over the past few months while working on the gaps and mistakes we identified. Now it is the right time to test ourselves against one of the top teams so that we can clearly see where we stand and what we still need to improve,” he said.

KIA Atlas has lined up a series of high-intensity friendly matches against FDH Bank Netball League sides as part of its preparations for the 2026 season, with the club aiming to adapt smoothly to life in Malawi’s top-flight netball competition following its transition into elite league netball.