Malawi Under-17 National Football Team coach Enos Chatama says they are targeting to win the Cosafa Under-17 Championship and, ultimately, qualify for the 2026 CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
He said this when he named his final squad before the team’s departure for Zimbabwe yesterday for the 2025 edition of the Cosafa Under-17 Championship which will be a qualifier for the continental showpiece.
The only time Malawi won the Cosafa tournament was in 2001 when they beat South Africa 3-0 and they last qualified for the Under-17 Afcon in 2009.
Chatama expressed confidence that the players are ready to compete and make the country proud.
He said: “We have been in camp for almost a month now and the boys have worked really hard. If they perform the way they did during training, we have a good chance.
“We’re going with a purpose to win and qualify for Under-17 Afcon.”
The coach also said they are aware of the strong competition they face, but believes they can use their underdog status as a motivation to cause an upset.
Malawi are in Group B alongside Zambia, South Africa and Madagascar whom they face in their opening match on Friday.
FAM first vice-president Christopher Madalitso Kuyera, who also heads the association’s technical subcommittee, said they are optimistic that the team will do well.
He said: “They have had enough time for preparations, having spent about a month in camp.
“We are, therefore, confident that they will give it their best shot and do their nation proud.”
Last year, Malawi failed to make it past the group stage after finishing bottom in Group A with two points.
They drew 1-1 apiece against Mozambique and Angola before losing their last match 2-3 to Lesotho.
Following is the Squad: Goalkeepers: Oppex Kantwanje, Jacob Banda and Chisomo Mdoka; Defenders: Gerald Phiri, Tadala Mughogho, Francis Alfazema, Hastings Makwenda, Hope Musitafa and Joel Maziya; Midfielders: Moffat Mnyontho, Shaban Daudi, Faizo Mangulenje, Vincent Thomson,
Owen Kamwiyo, Elie Samuel Rundles and Zaithwa Wedson; Strikers: Okester Kanyenda, James Lumbe, Luka Ligomeka, Chikondi Howa-Namasala and Joel Yakobe.
