The Malawi Under-15 National Football Team booked a place in the Tier C round of 16 at the FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 after defeating Hungary 2-0 at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday.
Second-half goals from Miracle Ndovie and Takutzwa Maluwe secured the victory for Joseph Malizani’s side, setting up a knockout-stage encounter against Luxembourg on Thursday.
The two goals, scored just two minutes apart, proved decisive as Malawi overcame a goalless opening half to continue their campaign in the competition. Neither side found a breakthrough in the first half, with the teams heading into the interval level at 0-0.
Malawi made their only substitution in the 26th minute when Sipho Ngwira replaced Jazaka Amidu, just before the contest swung in their favour. Ndovie opened the scoring a minute later to give Malawi the lead before Maluwe doubled the advantage in the 29th minute, putting Malizani’s charges in a strong position.
Prince Santos, who was on the substitutes’ bench, received a yellow card for entering the pitch to celebrate one of Malawi’s goals, while Lameck Kamanga was also booked during the encounter.
Malawi were later reduced to seven players in the 36th minute when Elisha Nyirenda received his second yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Malawi maintained their two-goal lead to complete the victory and secure passage to the next stage.
The result takes Malawi into Tier C round-of-16 clash against Luxembourg, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake. The encounter will take place at Pitch 1A of the Hovsan Competition Complex, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30 local time (17:30 Malawi time).
