By Suleman Chitera
The Malawi National Beach Soccer Team is set to make its debut at the 2025 Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Beach Soccer Championship after receiving an invitation as a guest nation.
The tournament, slated for later this year in Kenya, will see Malawi placed in Group A alongside hosts Kenya, Burundi, and Zanzibar.
Speaking in an interview, sports analyst Devie Banda said Malawi’s growing reputation in beach soccer was a key factor behind the invitation.
“Malawi has built a strong legacy in beach soccer over the years. Kenya’s invitation reflects the respect Malawi commands on the regional stage,” said Banda.
He expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to make a mark in the competition, pointing to the selection of top players from established beach soccer hubs such as Nkhata Bay, Nyasa, and Nkopola.
“The team has a solid core of talented players with good coordination and experience. With that, there’s every reason to believe they will represent the nation with pride,” Banda added.
This appearance will be Malawi’s first international outing since featuring in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Beach Soccer tournament held in Egypt last October.
Meanwhile, head coach Willy Kulimalimbe has announced a final squad of 17 players expected to fly the Malawi flag high at the championship.
The CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship is expected to attract regional heavyweights, with Malawi eager to prove its worth on unfamiliar territory.
