U-17 face stern test
Malawi Under-17 national football team assistant coach Peter Mponda has described this afternoon’s Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Youth Championship semi-final clash against favourites Zambia as the only hurdle in Junior Flames’ title chase.
After maintaining a clean sheet in the group stages of the tournament with three straight-wins, Junior Flames have to beat Zambia’s Young Chipolopolo to progress to the finals, where they will battle for ultimate glory against the winners of the other semi-final between South Africa and hosts Mauritius.
“We consider our semi-final match against Zambia as final before the actual final. We have put more effort in preparing for this game than what we will do thereafter. If we beat Zambia, then, definitely know that we will be champions because we know there will be no tougher opponent in the final,” said Mponda.
During last year’s contest, Zambia was the only team that beat eventual bronze winners Malawi in open play following a 3-0 thrashing in the group stages. Then, Zambia topped their group with three-straight wins, but failed to progress to the last four after being disqualified for fielding two over-age players—Nicholas Mulilo and Benjamin Phiri.
However, Mponda said the Junior Flames, who have scored nine goals and are yet to concede a goal or lose a match at the event, are ready for the showdown this time around.
He said: “We know the Zambians are the strongest title contenders, but that does not mean they do not have weaknesses for us to take advantage of. We do not fear the Young Chipolopolo, we only respect them”.
Head coach DeKlerk Msakauona is expected to maintain the first II of their last group match against Mauritius on Wednesday with a minor change being the absence of injured Chikondi Mbeta (ankle) and Prince Chingamcheke (groin).
Kennedy Nankhaima, captain Hadji Wali, Joseph Balakasi, Innocent Shema, David Daudi, Auspicious Kadzongola, Tathedwa Willard, Patrick Mwaungulu, Chinsinsi Maonga and Alex Tsamba are expected to start.
Football analyst George Kaudza Masina said Malawi’s chances of beating Zambia are 50-50.
“But, in all fairness, our football standards are far behind as compared to those of Zambia, whose only problem is the purported age-cheating. However, the Junior Flames can build their confidence from their success in the last three games unless complacency creeps in. It is my belief that the gods of football will smile on Malawi once again,” he said.
Malawi last won the Cosafa Under-17 Cup in 2001 as hosts after beating South Africa 3-0. n
