Flames Assistant Coach Peter Mponda has described the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup group stage draw as fair and competitive.

Malawi has been placed in Group B alongside Angola, Namibia and Lesotho following a draw held in Mangaung, South Africa on Wednesday morning.

“It’s a fair draw. All the teams in our group are strong and have been doing well. It gives each of the four teams a genuine chance to qualify for the semi-finals,” said Mponda

The tournament, will run from June 4–15 in Mangaung.

The top team from each of the four groups will advance to the semi-finals, and for the first time in the tournament’s history, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used.

The Flames are making a return to the competition after missing the 2024 edition due to the tragic passing of Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.