Malawi in tough Cosafa Beach Soccer group
Malawi Beach Soccer National Team has been drawn in a tough group of the 2023 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship to be held in Durban, South Africa from March 17 to 23.
The 2015 finalists are in Group A which also has the hosts, guest nation Saudi Arabia and 2025 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup hosts Seychelles.
This follows a draw held on Thursday in South Africa which also pitted top seed and guests Morocco, 2021 winners Mozambique, guests Tanzania and Angola in Group B.
The top two teams in each pool advance to the semi-finals.
A statement from Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) says they anticipate a tough competition in both groups.
The statement reads in part: “Saudi Arabia are the first ever team from outside the continent to compete at a Cosafa event and will bring an exciting Middle East flavour to the tournament.
“Morocco have traditionally been strong in beach soccer and will perhaps be favourites for Group B honours, but will face plenty of competition.
“Angola made the semi-finals in 2021 and bring physicality and no shortage of skill.”
Malawi are returning to the competition after a nine-year hiatus, having participated in the last Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations last year.
But coach Willy Kumilambe said they are ready to meet any team at the tournament.
He has named a provisional squad of 25 players which include 10 that competed at the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Mozambique.
These include goalkeepers Justin Bonongwe and Eddie Jamu, defenders Arnold Lasten, Martin Biliati and Blessings Likupe, midfielders Dala Simba, Isaac Kajamu and Frank Mwenelupembe, and strikers Obrien Nkhukumba and SandramSaddi.
The competition was not held last year and it has been carried on to 2024, according to Cosafa media manager Lynda Greeff.
Guests Senegal were champions in 2022 after they beat Egypt 5-3 in the final.
