MALAWI NATIONAL BEACH SOCCER SQUARD IS OUT FOR AFCON-KUMILAMBE NAMES 13 PLAYERS.

By Nganati Wa Nganati

Malawi National Beach Soccer coach Willy Kumilambe has named a 13- member squad ahead of the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations finals slated for October 19-26 in Hurghada, Egypt.

The team is expected to depart for Egypt this afternoon from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.

Kumilambe has retained nine players who were part of his squad at the 2022 AFCON in Mozambique.

They include goalkeepers Justine Bonongwe and Eddie Jamu, defenders Martin Biliati, Arnold Lasiteni and Sandram Saddie, midfielders Isaac Kajamu, Dala Simba and Frank Mwenelupembe and striker Obrien Nkhukumba.

The four new faces in the squad are goalkeeper Mussa Haji, defender Mike Chavula, midfielder Thoko Kamanga and striker Ibrahim Said.

Malawi will start their campaign in group B against hosts Mozambique on October 20 before facing Senegal the following day. They will then play Mauritania on Tuesday October 22.

Kumilambe said the team is going to Egypt to compete.

“We had a very good camp for 10 days and we are well prepared for the tournament.  We have worked on all the issues that we noticed during the qualifiers, and I am very confident the team we are taking to Egypt is going to compete and not just participate.

“This is our second AFCON appearance, and we believe the experience from the previous tournament will help us perform and do better,” said Kumilambe.

Malawi finished seventh in the previous edition.

Two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. Group B comprises of hosts Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania and Morocco.

Below is the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Justine Bonongwe, Eddie Jamu, Mussa Haji

Defenders: Martin Billiat, Arnold Lasiteni, Sandram Saddie and Mike Chavula.

Midfielders: Isaac Kajamu, Dala Simba, Frank Mwenelupembe and Thoko Kamanga.

Strikers: Obrien Nkhukumba and Ibrahim Said.