The Malawi Under 20 national team will be looking to qualify for their first Cosafa Under 20 Championship final in 22 years when they face Zambia in the semifinals tomorrow.
The tournament is being played as part of the Region 5 Games underway in Namibia and the match will take place at Hage Geingob Stadium.
Malawi last appeared in the final of the Cosafa U- 20 Championship in 2003 when they lost 4-0 to Zambia.
This is also Malawi’s first semifinal appearance in the tournament since 2011.
This is the first time the Under 20 Championship is being played at the games since 2018 as the previous two editions featured Under 17 competitions. Coach Milias Pofera Jegwe says the team is focused on securing a win over Zambia.
“It is a tough match, looking at the type of team we are facing tomorrow. We are fully aware that they can be a threat if not handled well. But we are here on a mission. We came to break the jinx—. We have done that, and our focus is not just on tomorrow’s game.
“ We are going to play freely and without pressure,” he added.
Jegwe also revealed that they are managing player recovery well after an intense group stage, and all players are ready to fight.
The Junior Flames finished top of Group A, having defeated Zimbabwe 2-1—thanks to a Mwisho Mhango’s brace. They also drew a 1-1 against Angola, with Mhango again on the scoresheet before beating Namibia 2-0 in their last group match courtesy of goals from Lameck Mithi and Clifford Chisale.
Malawi won the Under 20 football competition at the 2008 Region Five games, but by then the competition was not Under Cosafa.
