Cecafa has released the draw for the 2015 edition of the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup to be staged in Ethiopia from November 21 to December 6.
In the draw released on Wednesday, the Flames are in Group C alongside Sudan, South Sudan and Djibouti.
Malawi will play their first match on November 23 against Sudan before taking on Djibouti two days later on November 25.
Their last group match will be against South Sudan on November 27.
Flames coach Ernest Mtawali has since welcomed the draw describing it as fair.
“We have also intensified our preparations and the players are showing a lot of commitment and enthusiasm,” said Mtawali.
The Flames mentor said while the competition is more about exposing the up-and-coming players that have been identified, they are also going there to compete.
“Yes, it is about exposing the new players, it is also about preparing for our next 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea in march next year, but over and above that, we are also going there to compete.
“We believe that if we do well, it will motivate the players ahead of the Afcon qualifiers,” said Mtawali.
Meanwhile, striker Chawanangwa Kawonga became the first of the four foreign-based players that have been called, to join the squad.
Kawonga trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday while goalkeeper Simplex Nthala and midfielder Chimango Kayira, who also ply their trade in Mozambique, are expected to join the squad on Thursday alongside South Africa-based winger Gerald Phiri Jnr who has been released by his PSL club Bidvest Wits.
Cecafa release draw
