Malawi Beach Soccer National Team Coach Willy Kumilambe believes his charges have enough experience to help them go past the group stages of the 2023 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship slated for March 17 to 23 in Durban, South Africa.
Kumilambe was reacting to the competition’s draw conducted in South Africa Thursday, which has seen Malawi being drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, guest nation Saudi Arabia and Seychelles.
Kumilambe said his troops will build on vital lessons learnt during the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
“We need to make a statement at this year’s tournament with a combination of experience and young blood. At such a stage it is not wise to underrate any team. We will therefore go there with the belief that every team in our group is strong and well prepared for us,’’ Kumilambe said.
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Malawi return to the tournament following a nine-year absence after finishing as runners-up in 2015 with a 9-4 loss to Madagascar in Seychelles.
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But they will go into the competition with continental experience, having finished sixth at the Beach Soccer Afcon held in Vilankulo, Mozambique.
Kumilambe called up 25 players in his provisional squad for the tournament.
He later trimmed the squad from 25 players to 18, with further reductions expected before departure for the tournament next week.
Some of the team’s key players are Isaac Kajamu, Sandram Saddie, Simba Dala, Justine Bonongwe, Eddie Juma, Martin Biliati, Anold Lasten and Obrien Nkhukumba.
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Saudi Arabia are the first-ever team from outside Africa to compete at a Cosafa event.
Seychelles will be hosting the Beach Soccer World Cup next year and have been in training camp in the United Arab Emirates in preparation for the regional tournament.
Former footballer Bothwell Saka said he believes the team will do well.
“We just need to prepare well for the tournament. We have a lot of potential to win the tournament,’’ Saka said.
Group B comprises Morocco, Tanzania, 2021 winners Mozambique and Angola.
The group stage matches will be played on March 17, 18 and 20 with two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals scheduled for March 22 before the final on the following day.
