Malawi Beach Soccer National Team has set its sights on winning the 2023 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship scheduled to take place from Sunday to March 23 in Durban, South Africa.
The team flew out of the country yesterday through Kamuzu International Airport for the tournament which has attracted eight nations.
However, coach Willy Kumilambe has sent a strong message to all the teams that his charges are aiming at winning Cosafa Cup for the first time.
“We are going there not just to participate but to compete and bring the trophy home. Despite having a lean squad, I have confidence in the team and we believe that the target that we have set for ourselves is achievable,” Kumilambe said.
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Malawi, who are making a return to the Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship after a nine-year absence, were drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Seychelles.
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The team will kick start their campaign against South Africa on Sunday before meeting Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Malawi’s final group stage match will be against Seychelles on Wednesday.
Kumilambe said he has done his home-work well although it will be the first time for his charges to face the three opponents.
“Though, we have never met the teams in our group, we have seen how they play and we will plan accordingly to get the results,” Kumilambe said.
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Kumilambe has travelled with only 10 experienced players who were part of the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals squad in Vilankulo, Mozambique.
Some players have remained behind due to passport hitches.
Former Beach Soccer National Team captain Bothwell Saka said the team has what it takes to win gold.
“They have assembled a good team and I am confident that they can bring the trophy home,” Saka, who was part of the team that won silver medal during the 2015 Cosafa Cup after 9-4 loss to Madagascar in Seychelles, said.
Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals of the competition.
