Football Association of Malawi (FAM) technical director Mario Marian Marinica says the Under-23 trip to Turkey has helped to expose the up-and-coming players at the international stage.

The junior Flames beat Kuwait 2-0 in their first match on Thursday before losing 3-0 to Togo on Monday during matches organised by Sports Edge and Africa TMS.

He said: “It has helped us to give the boys the platform to understand what it means and takes to play at this level.

Under-23 players train before the trip to Turkey

“If you look at Togo, they are a formidable team, very tall and physically well-built and most of the players play in Europe.

“It is important for our players to be playing at this level frequently so that they get used to playing against big players. It is important if we continue with this exercise for us to continue getting better and better.”

Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda observed that the Under-23 team has potential to excel if given more friendly matches.

He said: “If only we can be consistent in these friendly matches. The team went to Turkey on a fully-sponsored trip.

“Unfortunately, such things only come once in a while. Let’s hope FAM will organise its own matches for the team.”

Ten teams, namely Zambia, Republic of Congo, Liberia, Benin, Togo (senior), Togo Under-23, Tajikstan Under-23, Kuwait Under-23, Sierra Leone and Malawi gathered in the transcontinental country located mainly in Western Asia and partially in the Balkans in South East Europe for the matches played during the March Fifa international date.

Malawi Under-23 is preparing for Africa Nations Championship which features local players and Olympic qualifiers.

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