For the past 25 years, Malawi has qualified for junior continental football tournaments only twice, a development pundits attribute to lack of proper developmental structures.
Since qualifying for Under-17 CAF Youth Championship and Under-17 World Cup in 2009, whose products include Limbikani Mzava and Robin Ngalande, Malawi has never made it to a junior continental tournament.
Before that, the Malawi Under-20 national team qualified for CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 1999 under German technical adviser Manfred Hoener.
no better facilities
The team had Silver Strikers coach Peter Mponda, Esau Kanyenda, Fischer Kondowe, Peter Mgangira and Andrew
Chikhosi.
In an interview, football analyst Kevin Moyo cited lack of planning and shortage of proper youth programmes as reasons behind junior football teams’ failure to qualify for continental tournaments.
He said: “Age cheating, a dysfunctional youth system, coupled with poor infrastructure and lack of technical expertise have contributed a lot to poor youth development.”
Moyo added that the country has limited football academies, as such, the catchment area for youthful players is limited to urban areas.
On his part, Chikhosi said the country has neglected youth football.
He also said there is no passion among the current crop of players to do well in the game.
Another analyst, Julius Mithi said the country lacks qualified coaches to equip young players with necessary skills.
“In addition, lack of good infrastructure for young players has a negative effect on skills development,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Under-20 national football team failed to impress at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)/Cosafa qualifiers in Mozambique last month.
They exited the tournament with two defeats and one victory.
Football Association of Malawi technical director Benjamin Kumwenda said football has gone commercial and more countries are investing in the game.
He said: “If you don’t put your financial resources in the game, count yourself out because you will fail to compete with others .
“We have talent, but if it’s not exposed and nurtured by quality football coaches, we can’t compete at a continental showcase. Poor infrastructure, there are no better facilities for the youth football or school football. Even elite clubs in Malawi play on bad pitches.
“Youth football structures are there, but with no sponsors youth football development will remain a challenge.”
