Salima Secondary School has earned qualification to the inaugural CAF African Schools Championship slated for April 5 and 8 in Durban, South Africa.

The school finished as runners-up to Clapham High School of South Africa in the boys’ category during the Regional Schools Tournament held at Bingu National Stadium in October last year.

A letter dated March 20 2023, which Times Sport has seen, indicates that Cosafa, as hosts, has been allocated four spots in line with the guidelines for Africa Schools Football Championship.

“We are pleased to inform you that, as runners-up in the boys’ category of the Cosafa Zonal Phase Salima Secondary School has been selected to take part in the final of the African School Football Championship,” the letter reads.

The African Schools Football Championship finals will see some of the greatest young talents from the winning schools battling for the top prize of $300,000 (about K300 million).

Runners-up and third-placed teams will get $250,000 and $150,000, respectively.

Football Association of Malawi President Walter Nyamilandu said they are delighted that Malawi has qualified for the finals of this inaugural competition.

“If they excel at the tournament, they stand a very good chance of winning lucrative prize money,” Nyamilandu said.

The competition started at national level, then Zonal level.

Head teacher for Salima Secondary School Saulos Mdalamba said they have received an invitation to take part in the tournament.

“We will make sure we travel to South Africa. We will bring the cup home,” he said.

For finishing as runners-up, Salima will get K75 million in prize money whereas champions Clapham will pocket K100 million.

Fifteen-year-old Malawian referee Watson Mustafa is among the 19 referees selected to officiate at the tournament.