Tag Archives: Region 5 Youth Games

Malawi, Regional, Sports

Malawi shines at Region 5 Youth Games with 32 record-breaking medals

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s stellar performance at the Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek, Namibia, has earned the country a total of 32 medals, including 7 gold and 13 silver accolades.

Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) Chief Executive Officer Henry Kamata expressed satisfaction with the team’s final medal tally, highlighting the significant increase in gold medals from 2 to 7 as a major milestone.

Malawi’s medal count consists of 7 gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals.

Notable gold medal winners include Byson Maseko, who won the T13 200m race with a time of 24.40 seconds, Nathan Chisale, who claimed gold in the 5,000m contest with a time of 15:12:90, and Nancy Verani, who triumphed in the Special Olympics 200m women’s category.

Team Malawi’s 167 athletes competed in 14 sporting codes, showcasing the country’s diverse sporting talent.

The team is expected to return home on Monday afternoon aboard a chartered flight.

Kamata emphasized that the teams that represented Malawi at the games will be kept as a project, indicating a commitment to nurturing young talent.

Sports analyst Enock Banda backs MNCS CEO Henry Kamata’s decision to retain the young athletes who represented Malawi at the Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia.

Banda believes these talented individuals have immense potential for future success.

“We went to Namibia to compete, not just to participate. The young stars have done beyond our expectations, and it’s crucial we nurture their talent for the future,” he explained.

Regional, Sports

Malawi gets credit for successfully hosting Region 5 Games

Maravi Post Reporter
Mutoya lauds Malawi on Region 5 Games

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi has been commended for hosting Region 5 Youth Games successfully.

Secretary for Region 5, Stanley Mutoya said this on Sunday, December 11, 2022 during a media briefing in Lilongwe.

Mutoya said Malawi hosted the successfully with good security services.

He said Malawi’s hospitality to foreigners has put it on the map as more nationals are willing to come back again in absence of the games.

Mutoya also said that despite the country’s athletes gaining 44 medals out of 468, Malawi has been uplifted in tourism sector.

He said the games have also managed to address other economic challenges as most of the sporting facilities have worn new faces.

Mutoya therefore applauded Malawian citizens for maintaining peace towards foreign nationals.

Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games local committee lauds volunteers

Maravi Post Reporter
Lisungu Banda, Local Organizing Committee Chief Operations Officer

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Over 400 volunteers who were recruited to execute different tasks during the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) region 5 Youth games Lilongwe 2022 on Sunday gathered together at Bingu upper stadium to bid farewell.

The ceremony was organized by the Region 5 Youth games Lilongwe 2022 Local organizing committee as a token of appreciation for the good job well executed by the volunteers.

Lisungu Banda, Local Organizing Committee Chief Operations Officer, hailed the volunteers for the heart showcased by allowing to work for the company and make the games happen.

She said without the volunteers, the committee would have had many problems as it was one of the biggest event Malawi has hosted as a country.

“This is very important event because in sports you can not work alone,Volunteers are key component when it comes to Sports.The team that we had was all hardworking and we know we can not appreciate the way they deserved hence a farewell ceremony as a reward.

“We have awarded them with medals and certificates just to show them how appreciative we are as Local Organizing Committee. The games have been ran successfully and we are very happy as LOC. We had very dedicated technical, Volunteers and all stakeholders who took part.

“The event has been success, this was an international event and the volunteers can use this on their CV in securing some jobs”, Banda explained.

The Chairman for the Volunteers Chifundo Tenthani described the journey as hectic as it was a long process to recruit the 400.

He said he is happy that they executed their job beyond expectations.

“You see without these volunteers, games could have been a hustle to handle,but you see fellow Malawians very patriotic offered their services for the success of the games and of course for the success of Mother Malawi as a country “, says Tenthani.

The 400 Volunteers were categorized into clusters which were Marketing, Accreditation, Transport, Security, Catering, Protocol,Game villages just to mention but a few.

The Volunteers marched within the running track perimeters together with the 11 participating countriesat Bingu National Stadium,as part of the closing ceremony after the final match between Zambia and South Africa in the boys’ category which,Zambia won by one nil.

Malawi was hosting the 10th edition of the AUSC region 5 games after failing to do the same in 2003 when the games were established.

The games in Malawi have been played under the theme IGNITING THE AFRICAN DREAM.

Mozambique will host the 11th edition in two years time in Maputo.

Malawi, Regional, Sports

AUSC Region 5 Youth Games ends with bang

Maravi Post Reporter
Sports Minister Chimwendo happy with the games

By Edwin Mbewe


LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The 2022 Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth games Lilongwe 2022 which started on November 28, and officially launched on December 2 in the capital Lilongwe,comes to end today.

The games which have been played under the theme “IGNITING THE AFRICAN DREAM” really sparked fire in the Capital City as many turned in large numbers to patronize the games.

Swimming, Football both for boys and girls,Tennis, Volleyball, Netball, Athletics, E-Sporting, Basketball are among the sports codes which the ten countries competed within these days.

Indeed the African dream has been ignited as over 1,500 athletes showcased classic and brilliant performances which will leave a legacy in Malawi and Region 5 member States.

South Africa has however dominated in many sports codes having won 105 medals which 59 are gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronzes.

But the rainbow nation has chances to reach 107 medals as has two finals to wrap up the competition.

South Africa U-17 girls are expected to take on Zambia in the final while their brothers are also to battle it out with Zambia in the 2023 Algeria AFCON|COSAFA Qualifiers later in the evening from 1730hours.

Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda during the week indicated, he was a happy person to see the games well patronised as they were some few hiccups which could have compromised the games.

He said technical team worked tirelessly to make sure all facilities which were in doubt to host the games are in good shape,citing Kamuzu Institute for Sports Aquatic Complex, Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex among others.

The Minister will be the guest of honor this evening at the Bingu National Stadium where the closing ceremony is anticipated to take place.

Malawi, Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games: Half loaf is better than none as junior scorchers win bronze medal

Maravi Post Reporter
Junior Scorchers player in red

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi under 17 girls national football team on Saturday displayed classic game as they thrashed Botswana 9-0 in 3rd place classification play offs at Bingu National Stadium.

Playing for the first time in the major tournament, Trevor Kajawa’s girls showed confidence and composure when playing Botswana on Saturday’s evening.

The girls opened the score sheet at 1st minute of the first half through Linda Manda who shot long range.

Leticia Chinyamula swept a low shot into the net via a thick forest of Botswana at 13th minute to extend Malawi’s lead, Rose Kadzere nearly scored for the host but her shot was parried by Botswana goalkeeper.

Botswana was then put under siege as the play was kept in their half.

At 23rd minute, Malawi scored again through Faith Chinzimu who slotted past Botswana after a blistering counterattack. 7 minutes later Leticia Chinyamula got her second and at 32nd minute Rose Kadzere scored fifth goal for the junior Scorchers as the visitors looked disoriented in front of thousands of Malawian fans who kept chanting Malawi! Malawi! Malawi!.

Five minutes before half time,Faith Chinzimu scored again,to make it Malawi 6 and nil Botswana.From this juncture Malawi kept pushing for more goals as they vent anger on innocent Botswana.

At half time Malawi led Botswana 6-0.As it was the case in the first half,Chinzimu scored barely seconds into the second half to complete her hat trick.

Sarah Mulimbika however put the ice on Malawi’s cake with a close range powerful finish at the near post at 61st minute.Mulimbika got her double at 70th minute.

At regulation time Trevor Kajawa’s girls were at 9-0,and successfully claimed a third place finish in their maiden COSAFA under 17 girls Championship with Faith Chinzimu being an engineer against Botswana who did not show up on Saturday’s evening at Bingu Stadium.

Malawi lost 3-1 to Zambia on post match penalties in the semifinal after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.While Botswana suffered a 3-0 defeat to South Africa in the last 4 stage.

The final for girls category will be played on Sunday between holders Zambia and South Africa.

Meanwhile the AUSC region 5 Youth games Lilongwe 2022 tournament which have been taking place in the capital are coming to close on Sunday, December 11, 2022 with the finals in boy’s category, South Africa against Zambia.

In girls Championship, Zambia will take on South Africa in another anticipated thriller match.

South Africa has however, dominated in many Sports codes having won over 90 medals thus far.

Malawi, Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games: Poor Junior Flames fail to burn Amajimbo

Maravi Post Reporter

…….Malawi 1-5 South Africa

Poor Junior Flames player

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Under 17 football national team were knocked out of the TotalErnegies U-17 AFCON Algeria 2023| COSAFA Qualifier after being outsmarted by the Amajimbos of South Africa 1-5 at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium in the Capital, Lilongwe.

The visitors who looked aggressive in all departments opened the score sheet through Thato Sibiya as he blasted the ball into the net from 25 yards at 31st minute in the first half.

At halftime South Africa narrowly led by a goal to nil.

Siyabonga Mabena doubled the lead for the visitors with just one minute into the second half as he ran onto a long range ball to score.

Malawi reduced the arrears at 52nd minute through Webster Mzunda after bundling the ball across goal line after a scramble.But this was not enough to send them to the final as South Africa kept pushing for other goals.

Shakier Lee scored the 3rd goal for the Amajimbo after defeating Malawi’s ill timed offside trap at 74th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for the Derklek Msakakuona’s boys as their goal minder Julius Banda was shown a red card after fouling Thabo Tsilo.

Eventually, a penalty was awarded that Siyabonga Mabena converted it past substitute goalkeeper Shabbir Muhammad at 86th minute.

Malawi failed to keep the ball hence relied on long range speculative attempts which were easily dealt with by South Africa.

Siyabonga Mabena is current top goal scorer at the camp with nine goals.

Player of the match last night went to Gabriel Amato.

After the game Derklek Msakakuona coach for the Junior Flames acknowledged the defeat saying they prepared for the game well and the boys were in good mood to fight for the final.

“After conceding the goal in the first half,the boys seemed to have lost belief, but after reducing the deficit they started pressurizing but failed to score hence South scored.The boys stopped attacking as they sit deep at the back.It’s sad we have failed to use home ground advantage by qualifying to 2022 Algeria Africa Cup.

“It will be a tough game against Botswana in 3rd place play offs. They are also a good side whom we drew 2-2 in our first game”, Msakakuona said.

South Africa and Zambia have booked their places in the final of the TotalErnegies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023| COSAFA Qualifier after their 4-2 and 5-1 victories over Malawi and Botswana respectively in the semifinals of Region 5 Youth games at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The two have also earned themselves a spot in the continental finals slated for April 2023 in Algeria which will be the second for Zambia and fourth for South Africa.

The final of the tournament will be played on 11th December, 2023 from 1730 hours while 3rd place play offs between Malawi and Botswana will kick off at 1130hours in the morning.

Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games: Junior Flames up for Msakakuona pride

Maravi Post Reporter
Msakakuona upbeat ahead of Junior Flames Friday night game

By Edwin Mbewe


LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Under 17 National Football Team players have only this evening to make or break the job of their head coach Derklek Msakakuona as they face South Africa in the semifinals of the 2023 Algeria TotalErnegies U-17 AFCON| Cosafa qualifiers.

A win will see Malawi qualifying to the final of the AUSC region 5 Youth games which doubles as the qualifiers of the Algeria 2023 AFCON.

If Msakakuona’s boys manage to urge South Africa they will also automatically qualify to the Algeria junior continental Showpiece and the head coach’s job will be saved.

Weeks ago Football Association of Malawi (FAM) gave an ultimatum to the under 17 technical panel led by former Blue Eagles FC head coach Derklek Msakakuona to qualify the team to the finals of the African Cup of Nations or else face a chop.

Derklek Msakakuona has been in charge of the junior Flames for over 10 years now but is yet to bring medals to the Malawians.

Speaking in a preview interviews Msakakuona is ready for the battle against South Africa which is anticipated to kick off at 21:30 hours.

“We have prepared well for the battle, give them a chance, they will do the needful, in previous games the boys failed to utilize the chances including the set pieces which we have been tackling for the past two days”, Msakakuona said.

Malawi to reach the semifinals of the region 5 youth games equalled power with Botswana 2-2 before defeating Namibia.

They finished as group A leaders with 4 points.

If team Malawi wins this night against South Africa, they will face either Zambia or Botswana who meets in the first semifinals from 18:30hours at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium.

Malawi, Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games: Junior Queens stumble as Proteas defend netball title

Maravi Post Reporter
Proteas defend netball title

By Edwin Mbewe


LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-South Africa under 19 Netball team have defended the region 5 youth games title after humiliating Zambia 66-16 in the final match played at Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex on Friday 9th December, 2022 in the capital, Lilongwe.

The young Proteas were excellent after winning all games including thrashing the host Malawi 32-55.

Meanwhile the junior queens have stumbled as they failed to defend even the silver medal they got in the 9th edition of AUSC region 5 games which took place in Maseru,Lesotho last year.

Malawi lost to Zimbabwe 44-46 in 3rd place play offs in the early kick off to the disappointment of many Malawians who came to cheer the team at the magnificent Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex.

Assistant Coach Beatrice Mpinganjira described the development as sad.She then appealed to the netball governing body in the country to keep the girls together to see to it that there is continuity.

However Stella Matelezi did not lose it all as she has been voted shooter of the tournament with 93 goals.

Malawi managed to win against Botswana 67-33, Zimbabwe 37-42 and Namibia 39-42,and lost South Africa 32-55, Zambia 52-35,Zimbabwe 44-46.

Team Malawi has failed to cherish the pride of hosting the 10th edition of the AUSC region 5 games.

Malawi failed to win medals in many sports codes and let the South Africans shine in the foreign land as they have this far won 80 medals.

Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games: Trevor Kajawa’s daughters massacre Namibia

Maravi Post Reporter

……..Malawi 12-0 Namibia

Junior Malawi women football team beat Namibia

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Under 17 girls national football team led by head coach Trevor Kajawa on Monday, December 5, 2022 qualified to the semifinals of the AUSC region 5 Youth games COSAFA U17 Girls championship.

The girls scored goals for fun as they massacred Namibia 12-0 at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium.

The Trevor Kajawa’s side lost in their opening match 1-4 to South Africa two days ago.

Malawi who was on fire especially in the second half scored through Rose Smith Kabzere 5 goals at 23rd,50th,55th,59th and 65th,while Faith Chinzimu netted 4, at 49th,58th,63rd and 82nd with other goals coming from Chikondi Mgodi 53rd minute, Leticia Chinyamula 79th and Annah Baziliyo at 84th minute.

As the Theme of the games which is IGNITING THE AFRICAN DREAM Malawi U-17 girls indeed ignited their own dream by qualifying to the semifinals in the maiden year.

Coach Kajawa was over the moon with the victory and qualification while acknowledging Namibia gave them tough time in the first half.

“In the second half we built confidence and started scoring goals like nobody’s business, I am very much excited defeating Namibia 12-0.

“It wasn’t easy but after that defeat to South Africa we came flatter out. We are meeting Zambia in the semis. We are not afraid”, Kajawa said.

Malawi will battle it out with the COSAFA U17 defending champions Zambia on Wednesday in the semifinals.

The Zambians humiliatated Comoros Island 10-0 to top group B in a game in which Lubasi Pumulo scored a hat trick, Harriet Matipa grabbed a brace.

South Africa takes on Botswana on Thursday from 1830hours.

So far 52 goals have been scored in 6 games of the girls Championship which is being as part of the region 5 games Lilongwe 2022.

The games have been so entertaining and they are just indeed leaving a memorable mark which was the wish of Region 5 Organizing Committee.

In boy’s category which is the TotalErnegies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023 qualifiers,Mozambique lost to South Africa 0-1 courtesy of Siyabonga Mabena.

Zambia thrashed ten man Seychelles 7-1 with 5 goals from Emmanuel Mwanza at 33′,42′,74′,86′,90′, Lutetekelo Kapowa 37th and Kelvin Phiri at 64th minute.

Lorenzo Hoareau scored a consolation goal for Seychelles from a stunning free kick.

This was the first goal for Seychelles as they lost 11-0 against South Africa in their opener.

28 goals have been scored in boys category from 6 games.

Malawi has already qualified from group A with 4 points following their 2-2 draw against Botswana and a 2-1 victory over Namibia.

South Africa and Zambia qualified from group B with the current 100% record as they have won their first two games.

Regional, Sports

Region 5 Games board signs MoU with Anti-dopping body for clean sporting

Maravi Post Reporter
MOU signed

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-African Zone Region VI Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) on Monday, December 5, 2022 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with African Union Sports council (AUSC) Region 5 aimed at providing clean sporting environment for athletes to allow them to excel without the use of performance enhancement substances.

AUSC Regional 5 Advisory Board chairperson, Isaac Katopola observes that doping and other unethical conduct in sport have become a global concern that warrant smart partnerships between sports governing bodies.

“it is at a time like this that we as Region 5 deemed it prudent and appropriate to enter into a formal MOU with RADO as the Torch-Bearers and custodians of sport in this Region,” said Katopola.

He said any player who is going to be diagnosed with the drugs substance abuse will be disqualified.

He said the MOU aims at harness the power of sport to fight the vices that riddled this industry key among them being the fight against doping sport.

Echoing on the same, RADO President Nicholas Munyonga said the MOU is a product of extensive consultation and deliberations between the two organisations based on the realization that through working together.

Munyonga said RADO will lead and coordinate the implemention of the anti-doping programs in member countries however multifaceted task which requires partnership and collaboration with various stakeholders.

He said RADO also signed similar MOU with Association of National Olympic commitee of Africa (ANOCA) zone 6 and the promotion of clean sport is now becoming integral aspects of sport development.

Munyonga added that the RADO symbolises the public declaration of the commitment and pledge to serve the region and member countries represent various Regional, Continental and world competitions.

In July agovernment ministers gathered in Kazan, Russia in World conference aimed at considering ways of making sport relevant to society.

The conference produced five actions as part of hope and trust that the MOU must serve as an enabler and not detterred to progressive implemention of programmes and services.