Under-23 faces eSwatini

IN CHARGE—Mpinganjira

The Malawi Under -23 National Football Team will lock horns with eSwatini in the first-leg match of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe City this afternoon.

Victory at home would be important for the junior Flames going into the second-leg match at Somhlolo Stadium in Lobamba, eSwatini, next week.

The junior Flames have been in camp for more than two weeks ahead of the qualifiers.

On paper, the Malawi Under-23 are favourites as coach Bob Mpinganjira has assembled a strong squad, which comprises three foreign country-based stars Mwisho Mhango, Washalli Jaziya and Blessings Kanowa.

The trio was included in the senior Flames squad for the 2027 Afcon qualifiers against South Sudan and Angola.

SET— Malawi U-23

Mhango was with the under-20 team at the just-ended U-20 Afcon qualifiers in Maputo, Mozambique.

Jaziya and Kanowa were unused substitutes as the Flames defeated South Sudan 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium on Friday.

Mpinganjira said they were gunning for victory.

Mpinganjira will likely throw Jaziya, Mhango and Kanowa into the fray.

Goalkeeper Precious Masamba, Chifundo Makawa, Hermas Masinja, Lucky Mkandawire and Geoffrey Sibale are available for selection.

The overall winner of the two-legged tie will face Algeria in the second round of the qualifiers.

The games are also used as 2028 Lost Angels Olympic Games qualifiers.