U-23 start Belgium camp with loss
Malawi Under-23 national team yesterday lost 3-1 to top Belgium league outfit Sint-Truiden (STVV Club).
Juma Yatina scored the consolation goal.
The team left on Saturday for a two-week training camp in Belgium to prepare for joint Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic qualifiers against Zambia between March 20 and 26.
National team coach, Ronny van Geneugden, facilitated the training camp where the team will play seven training matches.
Leader of delegation, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Rashid Ntelera said Malawi put up a gallant fight in the first half.
“The first half was mostly balancing, but concentration lapses on two occasions got us punished.
“But the second half was more balanced than the first,” he said.
Ntelera also said STVV Club, which was established in 1924, finished fifth last season in the Belgium’s top league.
Malawi also used two sets of players in both first and second half.
The following is the line up of the team:
First Half
Rabson Chiyenda, Hadji Wali, Denis Chembezi Charles Petro, Isaac Kaliyati, Chimwemwe Idana, Levison Maganizo, Mark Fodya, Peter Banda, Batson Chikayiko and Hassan Kajoke.
Second Half:
Brighton Munthali, Trevor Kalema, Peter Cholopi, Gomezgani Chirwa, Stanley Sanudi, Ernest Tambe, Francis Mkonda, Gregory Nachipo, Mike Mkwate, Patrick Phiri and Juma Yatina .
