The Malawi Under-20 National Football Team departed this morning for Maputo, Mozambique, to compete in the 2024 COSAFA Youth Championship, scheduled from September 26 to October 5, 2024.
Coach Bob Mpinganjira has announced a 20-man squad for the championship, which also serves as qualifiers for the TotalEnergies Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking before the team’s departure, Mpinganjira expressed confidence in his players, stating they are ready for the tournament and eager to achieve positive results.
“The preparations have gone well, and we are hopeful for a strong performance. Although we have never won this tournament, we believe this could be our year. We’ve emphasized to the players the importance of this competition and the need to compete fiercely to win the Cup,” Mpinganjira explained.
Malawi is placed in Group C alongside South Africa, Comoros, and Lesotho. They will kick off their group stage campaign against South Africa on Friday, September 27, followed by a match against Comoros three days later. The final group stage match will be against Lesotho on October 1.
This year’s COSAFA U20 Championship will act as a regional qualifier for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, with the top two finalists advancing to the continental tournament.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
- Amos Sande (Ekhaya)
- Innocent Kamwambi (Lube FC)
Defenders:
- Washali Jaziya (Silver Strikers)
- Kondwani Tebulo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Edward Thengo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets RSV)
- Herimasi Masinja (Ascent Academy)
- Elias Mwaywanga (Karonga United RSV)
- Happy Mphepo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Midfielders:
- Precious Kwalenga (Mighty Tigers)
- Francis Malikebu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets RSV)
- Blessings Kanowa (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets RSV)
- Madalitso Safuli (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets RSV)
- Zanil Jusabu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets RSV)
- Mac Kwalira (Mkwichi PVT School)
- Misheck Billiat (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets RSV)
- Mwisho Mhango (Ascent Academy)
- Stimella Muyira (Chitipa United)
Strikers:
- Masambiro Kalua (Mighty Tigers)
- Benson Chifundo Makawa (Kamuzu Barracks)
- Adriel Kaduya (Silver Strikers)