Flames under-20 can reach Cosafa semis
Malawi under 20 national football team has intensified preparations for the Cosafa Youth Championship slated to take place in Lusaka, Zambia next month.
Speaking at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre where the Junior Flames are camping, Head Coach Peter Mponda, said the fixture was fair as they will first meet Comoros and Botswana before clashing with the hosts.
Mponda is confident his charges can win the first two matches to enhance their chances of qualifying for the semifinals.
“We certainly need to win our first two games to boost our chances of reaching the semifinals. If we win our first two matches then we will not be under pressure when we play Zambia,” he said.
The Junior Flames are in group A alongside Zambia, Botswana and Comoros Islands.
Malawi will kick-off its campaign against Comoros on December 4.
According to the 2019 Cosafa under 20 fixtures released over the weekend, the Junior Flames will play their second match against Botswana on December 6 before winding up the group stages against Zambia two days later.
Meanwhile, the junior Flames will play two testing matches this week as part of their preparations. This afternoon the side will face Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve before entertaining First Capital Bank under 20 select side at Mpira Village Stadium Friday.
Last year the Junior Flames were eliminated in the group stages.
