The Local Organising Committee for the CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 | COSAFA Qualifiers says preparations for hosting the tournament in the country are on track.
LOC chairperson Felister Dossi said the country is geared to deliver a successful eight-team tournament that will run between 15-24 August 2024 at the Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
The participating teams include Malawi Women’s Football National Champions Ascent Academy, Herentals Queens FC (Zimbabwe), FC Ongos Ladies (Namibia), University of Western Cape (South Africa),Green Buffaloes (Zambia),Gaborone United Ladies (Botswana)UD Lichinga (Mozambique),Ascent Academy (Malawi),Young Buffaloes (Eswatini).
The teams are expected to start arriving in Malawi on 13th August 2024.
Dossi, who is also FAM Executive Committee Member and Competitions Committee chairperson said her committee is working hand in hand with COSAFA and other local stakeholders to ensure a successful delivery of the tournament.
“We are excited to host this competition for the first time and ready to welcome the best Women’s Football Clubs in Southern Africa to Malawi.
“As LOC we have been planning and working hard over the past few days and I can assure the people of Malawi that a lot is going on behind the scenes to stage a world class tournament.
“We have engaged all stakeholders who will be key in the delivery of a successful tournament like Ministry of Sports, Police, Ministry of Health among others. We are finalising setting all the requirements as per the standards of the competition like venues, accommodation, transport, security and medical,” she said.
Dossi said the tournament will give Malawi an opportunity to continue showcasing her expertise in match organisation, rich culture, tourism, and history to the world.
“This is a fourth COSAFA tournament we are hosting in five years. We successfully hosted the U17 Championship at the same stadium in 2019 while in 2022 we hosted COSAFA Schools boys and girls, Girls U17 and Boys Under 17 tournaments in Lilongwe.
“It is not going to be any different this time as we all look ahead to yet another successful tournament,” she said.
She added that FAM is also engaging corporate partners for the competition who will be unveiled in due course.
Other Members of the LOC are FAM Executive Committee Member Daud Mtanthiko, Dayles Kachala, Clement Kafafwa, Linah Mtegha,Agness Mtimaukanena, Kondwani Katchere, Higger Mkandawire, Haz Mbizi and Nthukwa Shawa. Representative from th Ministry of Sports, Malawi National Council of Sports, Immigration, Malawi Revenue Authority and Ministry of Health will be part of the Committee as ex official members.
Mpira Stadium will be the sole match venue for the competition with Kamuzu Stadium and St Andrews as training venues.
The teams will be accommodated at Malawi Sun, Serendib and Crossroads hotel while the referees will be hosted at Victoria hotel.
