Malawi under-17 national football team long-serving coach Deklerk Msakakuona has named a final 20-member squad for the Cosafa Youth Championship.

The tournament will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from November 19 to 29 2020.

A statement from Football Association of Malawi says the team will leave for South Africa on November 17 2020 ahead of their participation in the tournament.

The Junior Flames are in Group B alongside defending champions Zambia, Botswana and Comoros.

Last year, Malawi hosted the tournament in Blantyre but failed to reach the quarter-final stage after beating South Africa 3-0 before losing 1-2 to Eswatini and 2-3 to Zambia.

Malawi begin their group stage campaign with a game against Botswana on November 20, before facing Zambia on November 22.

Surely, Msakakuona, who has been in charge of the team since 2016, must be hoping for a better showing.

None of the players who featured for Malawi in last year’s tournament have made it in the current squad.

Malawi last group phase match will be on November 25 against Comoros. 

Last week, Botswana coach Tebogo Mokute released his 20-member final squad for the championship.

The tournament will act as a zonal qualifier for the 2021 CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations with two top teams making it to the finals in Morocco. 

Malawi full squad: 

GOALKEEPERS

Alex Dzimbiri

Justice Mhone

Caleb Chirwa  

DEFENDERS  

Edward Phiri

Yankho Chitembeya

Innocent Sikwese

Cliff Mbewe

Andrew Lameck

Pilirani Issa 

MIDFIELDERS

Prince Minandi

Steven Banda

Precious Chamangwana

James Chomba

Renald Mapulanga

McDonald Chiwanda

STRIKERS

Enock Dumuza

Islam Mayiwa

Chifundo Mphasi

Samson Zakeyu

Timothy Nyasulu