Malawi to host Cosafa U-17
Malawi will host the 2019 Cosafa Under-17 Youth Championship, the regional football governing body has announced, ending the country’s 17-year international tournaments’ drought.
Council for Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) approved a rotational hosting system for its competitions on Saturday during its annual general meeting (AGM) held in South Africa.
Cosafa deputy chief executive officer responsible for competitions Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed the development in an interview from South Africa.
“In the system, every member association will be given a chance to host Cosafa tournaments on rotational basis. This year, it’s Malawi’s turn to the host the Cosafa Under-17 tournament,” he said.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda, who attended the AGM alongside the association’s president Walter Nyamilandu and vice-president James Mwenda, said they have welcomed the opportunity.
“With this development, the executive committee will deliberate and affirm the same at its next meeting,” he said.
Gunda said hosting the tournament is an opportunity for the country to expose its talent and increase its chances of winning the competition by utilising home ground advantage.
“This is a great opportunity for the development processes that FAM is undertaking in youth football and indeed an opportunity for the Malawian football family to see and support the future of Malawi football in a regional competition at home,” he said.
Mauritius has been hosting the tournament for the past thee years.
Angola are defending champions. Malawi failed to reach the knockout stage after finishing second in Group C.
Zambia won the tournament in 2016 while Namibia were 2017 champions.
Malawi won the tournament in 2001 when they last hosted the showpiece after beating South Africa 3-0 and some of the players were Robert Ng’ambi and Grant Lungu.
