The Local Organising Committee for the Caf Women’s Champions League/ Cosafa qualifiers has said preparations for hosting the competition in the country are on track.
Committee chairperson Felister Dossi said the country is geared to deliver a successful eight-team competition that will run from August 15 to 24 at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
Participating teams include Malawi Women’s Football National Championship winners Ascent Academy, Herentals Queens FC of Zimbabwe, FC Ongos Ladies from Namibia, South Africa’s University of Western Cape, Zambian side Green Buffaloes, Gaborone United Ladies of Botswana, UD Lichinga from Mozambique and eSwatini’s Young Buffaloes.
The teams are expected to start arriving in the country on August 13.
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Dossi, who is also Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Executive Committee Member and Competitions Committee chairperson, said her committee is working hand-in-hand with Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) and other local key stakeholders to ensure a successful delivery of the tournament.
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“We are excited to host this competition for the first time ever. We are currently going through all the processes to ensure that the country is ready to welcome the best women’s football clubs in Southern Africa. We have been planning and working hard over the past few days and I can assure the people of Malawi that a lot is going on behind the scenes to stage a world class tournament.
“We have engaged all stakeholders like the Ministry of Sports, police and Ministry of Health, among others. We are finalising the setting up of all requirements as per the standards of the competition from venues, accommodation, transport, security and medical facilities,” she said.
Dossi said the tournament would give Malawi an opportunity to continue showcasing expertise in various fields.
“We want to prove to the world that we are good at match organisation, preserving our cultural values and promoting tourism. We want to write history through hosting these qualifiers for the world to see. This is the fourth Cosafa tournament we are hosting in five years.
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“We successfully hosted the Under-17 Championship at the same stadium in 2019 while in 2022, we hosted the Cosafa Schools boys and girls Under-17 tournaments in Lilongwe. It is not going to be any different this time as we all look ahead to yet another successful tournament,” she said.
She said Fam is also engaging corporate partners who will be unveiled in due course.
Other members of the committee are Daud Mtanthiko, Dayles Kachala, Clement Kafafwa, Linah Mtegha, Agness Mtimaukanena, Kondwani Katchere, Higger Mkandawire, Haz Mbizi and Nthukwa Shawa.
Representatives of the Ministry of Sports, Malawi National Council of Sports, Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Malawi Revenue Authority and Ministry of Health will be part of the committee as ex-officio members.
Mpira Stadium will be the sole match venue for the competition, with Kamuzu Stadium and St Andrews High School Ground being used as training venues.
The teams will be accommodated at Malawi Sun, Serendib and Crossroads hotels while referees will be hosted at Victoria Hotel.
