Malawi beach soccer national team starts its campaign at the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations with a tricky fixture against hosts Mozambique in the tournament’s opening match today.

Following the withdrawal of Nigeria from the tournament at the eleventh hour, Group A has been reduced to three teams, namely Malawi, Mozambique and Morocco.

Malawi in action against Tanzania in a previous match in Dar es Salaam

Malawi will play their second match against Morocco on October 24, in Vilankulo, the beach town hosting the tournament between today and October 28.

Coach Willy Kumilambe said the team is ready for challenge at the maiden Beach Soccer Afcon, starting with today’s match against the hosts who are ranked second in Africa.

He said: “My expectation is just like that of any other team. We came here to play and win.”

But Malawi will be up against a team that finished as runners-up in the last edition of the competition.

Mozambique coach Abineiro Ussaca has assembled a formidable side led by their top scorer Nelson Manuel.

However, Kumilambe said Malawi will be a surprise package at the tournament.

He said: “We know very little about Mozambique. And I believe they also know very little about us. That means we are square.

“This is our first Beach Soccer Afcon finals and that’s a very big motivation for us to do well.”

Malawi travelled by road and were the fourth team to arrive after Morocco, Senegal and Madagascar.

Kumilambe said the players are fresh for the opening match after resting for two days.

He said: “All players are geared for the game. The confidence is very good. You know it’s a young team. Three months ago nobody knew about Malawi. We are here to make history.”

Malawi is the lowest ranked at position 101, according to rankings released on September 30, have to win the opening match at all cost.

But the team’s captain Sandra Saddi said they will ride on the fighting spirit of the underdog.

He said: “I know we are here as underdogs. I know we have a team of inexperienced players. But we will fight to the end. People should have trust in us. We will bring the trophy home.”

The other group is intact with all its members, namely Uganda, who are taking part in their second finals after having been semi-finalists in 2021, Madagascar, winner of the 2015 tournament in the Seychelles and Egypt bronze medallists in 2016 and 2018.

The winner from Group A will play Group B runners-up while winner of Group B will play Group A runners-up in the semis.

The Mozambique Beach Soccer Afcon finals will be the tournament’s fifth edition after Seychelles 2015, Nigeria 2016, Egypt 2018 and Senegal 2021.

The champions and runners-up of Beach Soccer Afcon will automatically qualify for the Dubai 2023 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup.

Malawi qualified for the finals on the away goals rule after an 8-8 aggregate stalemate against Tanzania.

This followed Malawi’s 3-2 win at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima District and a 6-5 defeat in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

exorcise the ghost.”

Mhango has scored five goals overall, including the one he against Kaizer Chiefs in semi-final first leg of the MTN8 before he was shown the red card towards the end when he had already been substituted.

He has also scored back-to-back for Usuthu.

Kaizer Chiefs ‘ Bonflis Bimenyimana, SuperSport United ‘s Bradley Grobler and Mamelodi Sundowns ‘ Peter Shalulile are joint leading scorers with six goals apiece followed by Mhango and Arrows’ Pule Mmodi on four goals.

Wednesday’s result has also piled more pressure on Maduka, who was given a target of bagging six points before the 2022 Qatar Fifa World Cup break.

He has so far bagged two points with two matches left before the break.

AmaZulu are ninth in the 16-team league with 13 points from 11 matches while Maritzburg are 13th with 11 points from 11 games. Champions Mamelodi Sundowns top the table with 19 points from 12 matches.

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