Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has not set targets for Malawi Under-17 National Team at the Cosafa Youth Cup to run from July 22 to 31 in Mauritius.
Fam vice-President, James Mwenda, said the focus was on building a team for the future.
“We don’t want to give the players and the coaches too much pressure, but as a nation, we are expecting them to do well. We want to expose them to the international game and build their confidence,” Mwenda said.
He said the association wants to secure a strength-testing match for the Junior Flames before the event in Mauritius.
However, Mwenda said the identity of the opponent would be known soon.
The Junior Flames are preparing for the tournament at Mpira Village in Blantyre.
Under-17 coach, Derlerk Msakakuona, believes that he has assembled a squad capable of delivering the goods at the regional junior football showpiece.
“We have selected the best players and, hopefully, we will do well. Let us support the boys and not give them too much pressure,” the Blue Eagles coach said.
The Junior Flames have been drawn in Group B alongside Mozambique, Zambia and Zambia. Hosts Mauritius are in Group A alongside South Africa, Seychelles and Namibia.
Meanwhile, Mozambique has withdrawn from the competition due to other commitments and will be replaced by guests, Kenya.
Malawi last participated in the competition in 2014 in Zimbabwe and the team finished fourth.
The junior Flames won the competition in 2001 when the country hosted it at Kamuzu Stadium. Grant Lungu, Petros Mwalweni, Bernard Kalilani, Don Pahuwa, Evans Lorenzo, Robert Ng’ambi, James Sangala, Moses Chavula and Mapopa Msukwa were part of the victorious squad.
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