tournament
By Mphatso Malidadi & Richard Chirombo:
The Malawi Beach Soccer National Team has stepped up preparations for this year’s Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship by calling 25 players into its provisional squad.
The team is expected to take part in the championship, which will take place in Durban, South Africa, from March 17 to 23.
Malawi Beach Soccer National Team Coach Willy Kumilambe has since called 25 players into camp, where they are expected tomorrow.
According to Football Association of Malawi (Fam), Kumilambe has included 10 players who were part of the 2022 Beach Soccer Afcon Finals squad in Vilankulo, Mozambique.
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They include goalkeepers Justin Bonongwe and Eddie Jamu; defenders Arnold Lasten, Martin Biliati and Blessings Likupe; midfielders Dala Simba, Isaac Kajamu and Frank Mwenelupembe as well as strikers Obrien Nkhukumba and Sandram Saddi.
Despite having limited time for preparations, Kumilambe is confident that his charges can impress at the championship.
“We will make the most of the time we have been given. I have picked the squad on merit and it is our hope that we will shine,” he said.
Meanwhile, Beach Soccer Association Chairperson Gift Chimbalanga has backed the side to flourish at the games.
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“The level of beach soccer standards have gone up in the country. So far, the new Fam leadership has committed to help the team compete in more beach soccer events,” Chimbalanga said.
The squad will be camping at Matundu Cottage in Salima District.
The Beach Soccer Malawi senior side is returning to the regional competition after missing the past two editions in 2021 and 2022.
Malawi participated in the inaugural competition, which was hosted by Seychelles in 2015, finishing as runners-up after suffering a 9-4 loss to Madagascar in the final.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is expected to be part of the guests at this year’s competition.
According to a statement from Cosafa, several guest nations from outside the Cosafa region have used the regional tournament to grow and develop for continental and global competitions –most notably Senegal and Egypt – and, this year, it will be the turn of Saudi Arabia.
“The Middle East nation becomes the first ever non- African country to compete in a Cosafa event, a further sign of the global reach of our competitions in the Southern African region, which provide world-class organisation and facilities for visiting teams.
“Also among the guest nations this year are debutants Morocco and Tanzania. The latter were finalists in the 2021 competition, where they lost out to Mozambique in the decider, and also appeared in 2022 but did not make it out of their pool,” Cosafa Executive Director Sue Destombes is quoted by the body’s website.
The five Cosafa nations that make up the field are hosts South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Seychelles and debutants Malawi.
Those called into Beach Soccer Malawi camp are as follows:
Goalkeepers: Justin Bonongwe (Beach Eagles), Eddie Jamu, Ishmael Saidi (Tourism) and Hadji Mussa (Nyasa).
Defenders: Arnold Lasten, Blessings Likupe (Munali), Jowa Sipolo (Tourism), Martin Biliati (Nyasa), Jowl Mwamyongo (Mphanga), Alex Nsukunika (Vinthenga) and Willard Maunde (Malawi Defence Force).
Midfielders: Dala Simba (Vinthenga), Isaac Kajamu (Sunbird Nkopola), Frank Mwenelupembe (Deep Bay), Thoko Kamanga (Beach Eagle), Chikondi Banda (Chihame), Tito Chakwawa (Chipale) and Vincent Mwanyongo (Mphanga).
Strikers: Obrien Nkhukumba (Beach Eagle), Dandram Saddie (Sunbird Nkopola), Isaac Kondowe (MDF), Jairos Mussa (Nyasa), Yusuf Issah (FC Malawi), Isaac Kinna (Chihame) and Chikumbutso Phiri (Mphanga).
Those on standby include: Mike Chabvula (Rank), Yankho Biliati (Tourism), Kumbukani Phiri (Vinthenga), Nathan Longwe (Beach Eagle), Watson Simbeye (Noil), Allan Mtawale (Chimanga) and Mussa Makote (Makokola).
