Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) has justified its decision to have the Malawi schools national football teams travel by road to Namibia for the Cosafa Zone Confederation of African Footbsll (CAF) Schools’ tournament, saying it was the players’ wish.
The Under-15 boys and girls’ teams left the country yesterday for the exhausting 2 497.2-kilometre trip to Windhoek.
Massa president Blackson Malamula said in an interview yesterday that the youngsters preferred to travel by road instead of flying “because they want to have fun along the way”.
He said: “When we travelled to South Africa last year, some of the boys and girls approached me that next time, they would rather travel by road because it is enjoyable and there is a lot to see and experience.
“In fact, it was us [Massa] who proposed that the teams should travel by road because they also learn a lot through experiences along the way.”
Malamula said the 50-member delegation, which includes 40 players and 10 officials, is expected to arrive on Thursday, a day before the start of the tournament.
On whether the players will be in good shape considering the distance, he said: “There will be absolutely no problems because they will rest along the way.
“That has been taken care of. They will spend the first night in Livingstone in Zambia where FAM [Football Association of Malawi] has provided funds for accommodation and food. In fact, apart from that, FAM has also provided allowances and the bus that the delegation is using.”
Malamula also said he is optimistic that one if not both teams will win the tournament.
“Looking at the team’s preparations, I have no doubts that we’ll achieve that. Both teams had very good preparations culminating in camp training at Kasungu Teacher Training College. These lads will provide consolation for the Flames and Under-20 National Football Team struggles,” he said.
On FAM’s stand about the arrangement, the association’s competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said he needed to consult and get more details.
But CAF physical fitness trainer Ephraim Mzengo said the players will be affected by fatigue.
He said: “Without doubt, they will feel the effects. Such long trips need to be done in good time to allow players enough time to rest and recover.”
Last year, Malawi’s boys team finished as runners-up in the regional tournament after losing to South Africa on post-match penalties while the girls’ side settled for the fourth position.
Champions in both categories will qualify for the continental schools tournament.
