Coach, TD paint bright picture on U-20 preps

Malawi national Under-20 football team coach Ernest Mtawali and FAM technical director John Kaputa yesterday painted a bright picture on the team’s prospects to excel in the 2015 CAF Youth Championship qualifiers.

The Junior Flames are expected to host Botswana next week on April 5 and was supposed to start camp training last week, but was delayed due to lack of funding.

It was only few days ago that government assured support towards the side’s preparations which are taking place at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

“Of course, we did not have enough time to plan for these preparations as there was no assurance of funding. But we have to make do with the time we have at present. I believe we will be able to assemble a squad capable of beating Botswana next week,” Mtawali said.

He, however, said that more details about the team’s preparations will be revealed during a press briefing they will host at Sports Council in Blantyre tomorrow.

On his part, Kaputa said the boys need more time to prepare for the international competition, but he is hopeful that the final squad of 25 players they will identify will not let them down.

“There are some techniques that we can put in place to make sure we do not lose focus. The game is on next week and we do not need to be caught offguard,” said Kaputa.

If Malawi beat Botswana in the two-legged home and away qualifiers, they will qualify for the CAF Youth Championships scheduled for Senegal next year.