The Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has said the upcoming Four Nations Tournament will be a good opportunity for the Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, to face quality opposition.
This follows confirmation that the Flames will participate in the Four Nations Tournament involving hosts Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The tournament is scheduled for March 23 to 31 at Obedi Itani Stadium in Francistown, Botswana.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the tournament would provide a competitive platform ahead of the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in September.
“We are excited that we are going to face three nations that were at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco. For us, playing against the teams means we are playing against highly ranked teams.
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“It is good to play against teams that are coming from high-level participation because that is where you test yourself against the best,” Zakazaka said.
He said the tournament had been organised following the existing agreement involving Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The agreement was signed in 2024.
“When we approached Botswana to become a guest nation, they did just not only accept it but extended their willingness to host the tournament,” he said.
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He said the organisers are expected to conduct a draw for the tournament.
Each team is assured of playing two matches during the tournament as there will be a draw for the semi-finals.
The winners of the semi-finalists will face each other in the final whereas losers will play in a third-place playoff.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said the tournament was a good opportunity for Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa to assess players.
“It is an opportunity for the team as all the three teams participated at the Afcon finals. It will be a good test for the Flames,” he said.
Malawi hosted the first edition of the Four Nations Tournament at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Flames finished last after suffering two losses to Kenya and Zambia. They lost 4-1 to Kenya in the first match before suffering a 2-1 loss to Zambia.
Kenya won the inaugural edition after beating Zimbabwe
