39 selected for U-17 squad
Thirty-nine Under-17 players have been called into camp to prepare for the Cosafa Youth Championship scheduled for this month in Mauritius.
Out of the 39 players, 25 were picked through trials conducted in four designated centres while 14 were roped straight from Malawi School Sports Association (Massa) programme.
The selection process, according to National Youth Football Association (NYFA) vice-general secretary Chimango Munthali, attracted 362 players.
The trials were conducted at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Zomba Community Centre ground in Zomba, Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe and Mzuzu Stadium in Mzuzu.
Under-17 coach Deklerk Msakakuwona said he is happy with the selection criteria.
“I am confident that the talent identified will make a good Under-17 national team,” he said.
The Junior Flames have been drawn against Zambia, Madagascar and Mozambique in Group B.
Hosts Mauritius are in Group A alongside former winners South Africa as well as Namibia and the Seychelles.
Malawi took part in the last Cosafa Under-17 Championship in Zimbabwe in 2014 and finished fourth.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Andrew Magumula, (Centre), Hastings Banda (North), Innocent Mbwenye (South), Omar Ngulinga (East), Emmanuel Kanthiti (South) and Patric kNjolomole (Central)
Defenders:
Anthony Msiska (North), Conscious Kachala (East), Haji Wali (Centre), Henry Chiwaya (South), Innocent Nhlema (Centre), Joseph Longwe (North), Lexpart Sumaili (South), Moses Chipanda Jnr (Centre), Chimango Kalinga (South), andVienna Mwangonde (North)
Midfielders: Benard Kayange (East), Charles Emmanuel (Centre), Clement Banda (Centre), Francisco Mandinga (South), Hardson Ndhlovu (North), Isaac Masambelo (Centre), Junior Phiri (South), Maxwell Magwere, (Centre), Peter Banda (South), Peter Kandota (Centre), Lawrence Chikhosi (Centre), Vincent Mtwaro (South), Fortune Thole (South), Wongani Kamanga, (South), Arthur Moffat (South) and Wisdom Mwinea (East)
Strikers : Clement Nyondo (North), Frank Chizuze (Centre), Mac Abel Masangano (South), Mark Kwalira (Centre), Raphael Banda (East), Yamikani Saini (Centre) and Chikondi Mbeta (South)