History beckons for Beach Soccer team

The Malawi National Beach Soccer Team, the Hustlers can write another piece of history if they qualify for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals this afternoon.

They host Seychelles in the second leg match at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Salima.

The team can become the first Malawian national team to qualify for a continental showpiece final for a third consecutive time.

Malawi made its maiden appearance at the Beach Soccer Afcon finals in 2022 in Vilankulo, Mozambique where they failed to win a single match in four.

Then, they qualified for the second consecutive Afcon finals in Egypt in 2024 where they won one match after beating Tanzania 6-5 to finish seventh.

This afternoon, Malawi go into the match against Seychelles with an advantage after winning the first leg 6-2.

It is for the hosts to lose as a draw will be enough to take them to the Promised Land.

However, they can qualify in style with a victory on home soil.

Expectations are high this afternoon from the local beach soccer fans.

Coach Willy Kumilambe knows that the tie is far from over.

“We had a lot of chances in the first leg but we relaxed a bit. We have rectified all the mistakes and we expect a better performance today,” Kumilambe said.

Kumilambe is expected to rely on experienced players such as Isaac Kajamu, Sandram Saddie, Simba Dala and Justin Bonongwe.

Seychelles have never beaten Malawi in the history of beach soccer.

Malawi also beat Seychelles 7-2 during the 2024 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa.