Fam targets Under-23 Afcon qualifiers
MABVUTO KAMBUWE:
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, has said most of the under-20 national team players that exited the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) last weekend have realistic chances of featuring in the forthcoming 2019 Under-23 Afcon qualifiers.
Gunda was responding to a question on the future of the under-20 team, which lost 0-2 to South Africa’s Amajita in the final qualifying round match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe last Saturday.
“We have the Cosafa Cup for the Under-20 players and also the Under-23 Afcon qualifiers. I think most of the Under-20 players might be considered for the Under-23 Afcon qualifiers, alongside some players who graduated from the team one or two years ago,” Gunda said.
Malawi has registered to take part in the competition, which is used as the qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games slated for Japan.
The Under-23 Afcon finals will take place in Egypt in December 2019.
Fam Technical Director, John Kaputa, confirmed that Malawi would take part in the Under-23 Afcon qualifiers and the Afcon Women qualifiers as they target qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
After the defeat to South Africa, junior Flames Coach, Meke Mwase, said the future of Malawi football looks bright.
“We should not focus on the results only but development of the players. I think we have exposed many players through the competition and, if we take part in other competitions, we will have a bright future as a nation,” Mwase said.
Amajita Coach, Thabo Senong, also praised the junior Flames, saying the country has assembled a good side.
Forward Pater Banda, Charles Petro, Charles Thom, Chinsinsi Maonga and Hadji Wali are among the players that will likely have a chance of playing in the Under-23 Afcon qualifiers, whose fixtures are not out.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
