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Malawi Beach Soccer team leaves today

Malawi Beach Soccer team leaves today

The Malawi National Beach Soccer Team is expected to leave the country today for the 2024 TotalErnegies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals scheduled for October 19 to 26 in Hurghada, Egypt.

The team was in camp at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima.

Coach Willy Kumilambe has picked 12 players for the finals, having dropped five for the championship.

“We have had good preparations. We started camping on October 5. Our mission is to do well and we will be taking each game as it comes,” Kumilambe said.

Kumilambe has selected goalkeepers Justine Bonongwe Eddie Jamu and Mussa Haji while in defence the coach has opted for Martin Biliati, Sandram Saddie Ussi, Arnold Lasteni and Mike Chabvula.

The midfield is well packed with the likes of Dala Simba, Isaac Kajamu, Thoko Kamanga and Frank Mwenelupembe.

Kumilambe has selected Aubrian Nkhumbula and Ibrahim Said as his strikers.

The team will begin its assignment on Sunday, when they face Mozambique.

Senegal and Mauritian are the other teams in the group.

Malawi won bronze during the Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa, this year.

The team qualified for the Afcon beach soccer finals after beating Burundi 15-14 on aggregate.

Malawi will be making a second appearance at the Afcon finals, having finished sixth at the 2022 tournament held in Vilankulo, Mozambique.

During the 2022 edition, Malawi lost 4-2 to Mozambique and 7-3 to Morocco in the group stages.

In a position five/sixth play-off, Malawi lost 4-1 to Uganda on post-match penalties after a 6-6 stalemate.