The Malawi Beach Soccer Coach Willy Kumilambe has named a 13-member squad for the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Mozambique from October 21st-28th 2022.
Kumilambe called 25 players for a training camp in Salima three weeks ago and last week trimmed the squad to 18 players.
Strikers O’Brien Nkhukumba and Watson Frazer Phiri from Beach Eagles and Nkopola respectively are the only two players who were not part of the squad that played in the qualifiers who have made it in the final squad.
Kumilambe said the boys worked hard in training and the 13 did well to deserve a place in the final squad.
“It wasn’t easy for us to come up with 13 players from the 18 players that we had looking at the number of games that we are going to play.
“However, we looked at their performance based on our requirements because we wanted quick, fast, highly reactive, and physically fit players who are able to withstand the pressure of high intensity games like the ones we are going to encounter in Mozambique.
“Though it’s our first outing at the AFCON our intention is to go there and compete. We want to carry the Malawian flag high, and we believe that we have assembled a good team to fulfill the task,” said Kumilambe.
The team will leave on Monday by road to Vilankulo.
Malawi are in a three-team group A alongside hosts Mozambique and Morocco following the withdrawal of Nigeria.
Group B has Senegal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Egypt .
The Kumilambe-led side will play their first match against Mozambique on October 21st before facing Morocco on October 24th.
Top two teams in each group will qualify to the Semifinals while those who will be on third position will meet in the 5th and 6th place classification.
Below is the squad
Goalkeepers : Justine Bonongwe, Eddie Jamu
Defenders: Martin Biliati, Arnold Lasteni, Sandram Saddie ( Captain), Blessings Likupe
Midfields: Isaac Kajamu, Dala Simba, Frank Mwenelupembe, Ganizani Mphande
Strikers: O’brien Nkhukumba, Watson Frazer Phiri, Charles Ndovie
Stand-by: Mussa Katawala (GK) and James Chikoka (ST)
Technical Panel: Willy Kumilambe ( Coach) Edwin Mtach ( Assistant Coach) Uppe Zalira ( Goalkeeper Trainer) Panganeni Ndovi ( Team Manager), Dexter Killi ( Team Doctor).
