National Sports

No Cosafa women, beach soccer tourneys

Women’s football and beach soccer have been dealt a blow after Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) announced the postponement of the two regional tournaments.

The competitions were scheduled to take place next year and Malawi was geared to participate so as to leave a mark on the international scene.

The Malawi Beach Soccer which reached the finals of Cosafa tournament
The Malawi Beach Soccer which reached the finals of Cosafa tournament

But Cosafa announced at the weekend that the hosts for the two tournaments had pulled out due to lack of funds.

Football Association +++of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu, who attended the assembly, confirmed the development.

“It’s a blow. We have to look at other alternatives to keep the two teams active,” Nyamilandu said.

Meanwhile, member associations are being requested to take up the responsibility of hosting the tournaments.

But Nyamilandu ruled out the possibility of Malawi coming to the rescue.

National Women’s Football Association chairperson Severia Chalira was not available for comment.

Beach Soccer Association of Malawi general secretary Davies Sado described the postponement of their tournament as a big blow.

“We have not received any formal communication from FAM on the matter, but if that’s the indication it’s a sad development to the progress of the game at an international level considering that it is through such tournaments that the boys gain experience and exposure.

“In the event that we are not participating, we might negotiate with FAM for possible friendly games and participation in other regional competitions even the World Cup,” said Sado.

Malawi reached the finals in Seychelles against Madagascar.

Cosafa has confirmed the Castle Lager Senior Challenge Cup to be hosted by Namibia in May 2016.

Sponsors Castle Lager are also expected to sign a five year deal with Cosafa.

But sponsorship agreement between Cosafa Under-20 and North West Province expires next year.

The 14 members of Cosafa are: Angola, Botswana, the Comoros Islands, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, the Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. n

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