Malawi Under-20 National Football Team coach Millias Pofera Jegwe has pleaded with government and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for support to ensure continuity.
The coach said this after the team’s second-place finish at the Cosafa Under-20 Championship in Windhoek, Namibia on Sunday.
Making their second final appearance in 22 years, Malawi lost 3-0 to South Africa’s Amajita in the final at University of Namibia Stadium.
Said Jegwe: “These boys have shown a lot of promise and my plea is that this team should get more exposure through periodic camps and friendlies.
“We reached this far because of the support we have had from Sports Council. We had four training camps that contributed to the level we scaled.
“Our opponents South Africa, are well exposed. Before this tournament, they had a training camp abroad and are in the final of the Under-20 Fifa World Cup. That speaks volumes about how exposed they are.”
Football Association of Malawi vice-president Christopher Madalitso Kuyera, who is also the association’s technical subcommittee chairperson, committed support towards the team.
He said: “We are very impressed with the team’s performance.
“It has performed beyond expectations by defying the odds to qualify for the final and we will ensure it’s continuity through periodic training camps.
“We will draw a leaf from Sports Council and keep the team active.
“We will identify coaches and then take it up from there.”
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation sports journalist Frank Kandu said in an interview that keeping the team active will be key to the success of Malawi football.
He said: “This team has showed tremendous potential. A group of talented and dedicated youngsters who can take our football to another level.
“They have achieved what generations have failed in the past and if they can be kept together, then the future looks bright.
“The challenge in the past has been maintaining such promising teams.”
