Malawi schools under 15 national teams (boys and girls) have left the country today by road for Harare, Zimbabwe where they will compete in the second edition of the Confederation of Africa football (CAF) Africa Schools football championship COSAFA qualifiers which will take place from 14-16 December, 2023.
At this year’s tournament the teams have been split into two groups each containing five teams. They will play in a round-robin format, with the top teams in each group advancing to the final. The runners-up will clash for third place.
The second edition will involve ten nations that will compete in both boys and girl’s football. In the boy’s category Malawi is in group A and they will battle it out with host Zimbabwe, Botswana Eswatini and Mozambique for a place in the knockout stage, while the girls are also in A and will battle it out with Host Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini and Mozambique for a place in the knockout stage.
Group B consists of South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Madagascar.
The under 15 Malawi boys team is being coached by Moses Chimbetete, while the girls under 15 Malawi team is being coached by Linda Kasenda
The winners of the two zonal competitions will advance to the continental finals to be played next year.
The format of the competition is that the Boys’ competition will be played on full size pitches with 11-a-side, while the Girls’ tournament is played on half-sized pitches and is 8-a-side. In both competitions it will be 20 minutes per half, with a 10-minute halftime break.
Below are the full squads that have left Malawi for Zimbabwe
Boys team
Goalkeepers: Chisomo Mdoka (Salima Sec School), Adamu Daiton (Baka primary)
Defenders: Wilfred Mapira (Riverside pvt), Jefrey Bisani, Abdul Razak Mahamood (Athens pvt), James Lumbe, James Msongole (Salima sec school), Menson Mwakapenda (Chibavi primary).
Midfielder: Shadreck Nyirenda (Boma CDSS), Justin Chipewa (Nansegwa sec), Tadala Mughogho, Faizal Mangulenje Phiri (Athens pvt), Hajir Muhajiri (Orama pvt), Amos Nyirenda (Chibavi CDSS), Angel Manda (Kauwa pvt), Yamikani Masamba( Mwanazanga pvt), Oketser Kanyenda (Zolozolo CDSS).
Strikers: Chisomo Mbewe (Chankhomi CDSS), Tinga Nkhoma (Athens pvt), Ishumael Bwanali (Salima sec)
Girls team
Goalkeepers: Violet Tsokwe (Chilambula pvt), Bridget Afiki (Likuni primary)
Defenders: Martha Mwakikunga (Cibavi primary), Maureen Mataya (Bangwe secondary), Tabitha Betha (Kang’oma secondary), Thokozani Enock (Kakule primary)
Midfielders: Faluna Umali (Easy pvt), Rabecca Banda (M’buka primary), Victoria Mkwala, Juliet Kalua, Deborah Jere (Athens pvt),
Strikers: Sofina Mandiseni (Nafutsa primary), Zione George (Chibavi primary), Ethel Tambala (Athens pvt) Khumbiso Gudugwe( Mwenyekondo primary)