By Jones Gadama
The Malawi Under-17 Women’s National Football Team is set to face a tough challenge in the upcoming Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Under-17 Girls’ Championship.
The team, led by coach Chisomo Nkhoma, has been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Namibia and the Comoros Islands.
Malawi’s journey in the tournament begins on May 10, when they take on Namibia at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
The team will then meet the Comoros Islands on May 11. The top team in each pool will advance to the semifinals, along with the best-placed second team.
This year’s championship, which runs from May 10 to 17, promises to be an exciting event, with nine teams competing for the top prize.
The tournament has been instrumental in developing young players, with past participants going on to become senior internationals.
Malawi has shown promise in the tournament, finishing third in the 2022 edition, which it hosted.
Star player Rose Kadzere won the Golden Boot with eight goals, highlighting the team’s potential. In fact, Malawi defeated Botswana 9-0 to secure the bronze medal, showcasing their skills on the field.
Coach Chisomo Nkhoma has selected a young squad, including multiple Under-15 players who represented Malawi in the CAF African Schools Football Championship in Ghana. While the team’s inexperience may put them at a disadvantage, Nkhoma believes it will pay off in the long run.
“I know with that young squad, in two to three years, they’ll be much better and they’ll produce good results,” Nkhoma said.
The team’s matches will be streamed live on FIFA+, providing fans with an opportunity to follow their progress. With a mix of youthful energy and determination, Malawi’s Under-17 girls’ team is ready to take on the best of Southern Africa and make a name for themselves in the tournament.
The tournament schedule is as follows: Malawi will play Namibia on May 10 and the Comoros Islands on May 11.
The semifinals will be held on May 16, and the final and third-place playoff will be held on May 17.
With their young squad and determination, Malawi’s Under-17 girls’ team is set to give it their all in the COSAFA Championship.
Will they build on their previous success and make a deep run in the tournament? Only time will tell.