The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has expressed delight over the Under-15 National Football Team's participation in the inaugural Fifa Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan. The team will conclude its campaign against Japan or Rwanda in a play-off for position 79. This follows Malawi's losses to Panama and Thailand in Tier C placement matches. FAM views the experience as valuable international exposure for the youngsters.
FAM communications officer Collins Nsunza stated that despite Malawi missing out on the Tier C title, the experience would help prepare the team for future national assignments. He emphasized that FAM's priority is to provide young players with opportunities to enjoy football, gain exposure, and grow through the experience. The team's participation aligns with FAM's transformation agenda to develop young talent and build strong national teams for the future.
Most players in the squad come from Under-15 leagues and football academies, providing a pool of emerging talent for future national teams. Players who have impressed at the tournament include Takutzwa Maluwe, Miracle Ndovie, Jazaka Amidu, Elisha Nyirenda, Lameck Kamanga, and Sipho Ngwira. Nsunza assured that FAM will ensure the players continue to gain experience through local and international competitions, including schools football and Under-17 tournaments.
Nsunza revealed that FAM deliberately included academy owners in the delegation to Azerbaijan to expose them to international standards of youth football development. FAM is in the process of registering football academies across Malawi to ensure proper monitoring and development of young players. This move aims to promote structured youth development programs and improve the country's football standards.
Namasala Academy owner Wesley Namasala, who traveled with the team, emphasized the need for Malawi to invest in structured youth development programs. He noted that Malawi's players faced physical disadvantages against some of their counterparts, citing differences in technical and tactical development. Namasala observed that many players from developed countries have received structured coaching from a young age, evident in their anticipation, movement, and decision-making.
African countries with established youth development programs have made an impact at the tournament. Angola, Algeria, and Kenya topped their respective groups to qualify for Tier A, while South Africa, South Sudan, and Zambia qualified for Tier B. Fifa president Gianni Infantino emphasized that the tournament aims to provide international exposure, promote development, and foster friendships across cultures, rather than focusing solely on results.
Infantino's sentiments align with FAM's goals, as the association seeks to develop young talent and build strong national teams. The experience gained from the tournament will be invaluable for Malawi's Under-15 team as they look to future national team assignments. With continued support and investment in youth development programs, Malawi's football future looks promising.
Key points
- FAM hails Under-15 National Football Team's participation in inaugural Fifa Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan as valuable international exposure.
- The team's experience will help prepare them for future national team assignments and align with FAM's transformation agenda to develop young talent.
- FAM will ensure the players continue to gain experience through local and international competitions to promote structured youth development programs.
