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The Malawi national schools team will be put to a litmus test to prove their supremacy in a Coca Cola International Schools’ Soccer Challenge involving Zambia and Zimbabwe. The tournament rolls into action on Saturday morning at the giant Chichiri Stadium.
Malawi has clinched the trophy twice: In 2001, when the country hosted the tournament, and 2002. Zimbabwe won the tournament in the 2000 while Zambia were victorious last year.
Coach John Kaputa said in an interview on Thursday the team will do everything possible to claim back the title.
“We are ready. We have come up with the best 18 and we are counting on them.
“Of course, the senior Flames lost to Zimbabwe in the Cosafa tournament last year but that was them and this junior team has a different approach,” said Kaputa who is also mentor of the senior Flames.
Kaputa will bank on stars such as Silver Strikers teenage striker Peter Wadabwa and player of the tournament in the just ended national school Coca Cola tournament midfielder Mphatso Henry Magetsi. Other stars include defender Alex Nanthambwe and Wedson Mwale.
Other names to watch for in the Malawi squad include goalkeeper Bright Nyirongo, Chawanangwa Chirwa, Ndaziona Chilemba, Sydney Bakasi, Jael Bokola, Drake Chingati, Thokozani Chimwala, Davie Ng’ambi, George Mlenga, Chifuniro Phiri, George Lipawo, Foster Namwela, Luka Papiwa and Joel Chipofya.
But Malawi should not expect an easy ride to claim back the title.
Last year’s champions Zambia, who arrived in the country on Friday morning, have vowed to defend the title.
“We are the defending champions and our team is not ready to lose the trophy. We have 20 players all of whom are ready to play,” said Zambia coach Kantu Chibwe on Friday.
Zimbabwe have also sworn that they will get the title by all means.
“Zimbabwe’s losing of the tournament in three years is our motivating factor and our guys are in shape. We have a completely new team with new ideas and skill which will give us the title,” said their assistant coach Wilbert Mashaya in an interview on Friday morning.
According to Coca Cola senior brand manager Emmanuel Kasambala there will be three matches on Saturday starting at 9 AM.
He said during intervals musician Ben Michael and ProMobile shows will entertain the spectators.
A prize presentation ceremony will be held at the Le Meridien Mount Soche in Blantyre on Sunday evening where the champions will cart home a whooping US $3,000 (MK324,000), second position US$2,500 (MK270,000) while the last one gets US$2,000 (MK216,000).
There will also be a fair play award winner who gets US$50 (MK5,400) plus a trophy and player of the tournament who will go home with US$100 (MK10,800). All other players, including the best goalkeeper will get US$75 each (MK8,100).
At the inaugural show of the tournament in 2000 Malawi was represented by Ndirande CDSS and Zimbabwe’s Churchill High School won the inaugural title before the tournament changed format to go for national schools teams.
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