* They advanced to the Tier C after finishing third in Group B with nine points from five matches
* Registering victories over Chinese Taipei 3-2 in opening match on Saturday before beating Oman 3-1 and Suriname also 3-1 on Sunday
* They lost 0-4 to fellow Africans Algeria on Monday morning before succumbing 2-4 to South Americans Argentina in the afternoon after leading 1-0 at halftime
By Duncan Mlanjira
The Malawi junior national boys team, who are participating at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, qualified for the Tier C Round of 32 and will face Hungary tomorrow.
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A report by FAM Media indicates that the encounter will kick off at 10h45 CAT at the Hovsan Competition Complex, whose matches are being stream live for free globally through FIFA+ on DAZN.
Yesterday, the coach Joseph Malizani’s side lost 0-4 to fellow Africans Algeria in the morning before succumbing 2-4 to South Americans Argentina in the afternoon after leading 1-0 at halftime.
They advanced to the Tier C after finishing third in Group B with nine points from five matches, registering victories over Chinese Taipei 3-2 in opening match on Saturday before beating Oman 3-1 and Suriname also 3-1 on Sunday.
They have scored 11 goals and conceded 12 in the group stage, with five different players finding the net.
According to FAM Media, Takutzwa Maluwe leads Malawi’s scoring chart with 5 goals, having struck twice against Chinese Taipei before finding the net against Oman, Suriname and Argentina.
Jazaka Amidu and Elisha Nyirenda have scored twice each, while Lameck Kamanga and Sipho Ngwira have contributed one goal apiece.
“Malawi’s three group-stage victories all came after falling behind, highlighting the team’s ability to recover from difficult starts against Chinese Taipei, Oman and Suriname.
“Wednesday’s encounter against Hungary presents another challenge for coach Malizani’s side, who will be seeking to build on their three victories as they enter the next phase of the competition.
“The tournament stage continues on Thursday, October 29, with the winner of Malawi’s encounter against Hungary facing either Luxembourg or Liberia in the Tier C Round of 16, while the losing sides will meet in the corresponding placement fixture,” reports FAM Media.
The tournament is being played in an 8-a-side format with 20-minute halves, which was divided into an initial qualification stage and a subsequent tournament stage (Tiers A through F).
It is a new global youth football competition introduced by FIFA as part of its Talent Development Scheme — with the aim of giving young players from around the world greater access to international competition and development opportunities.
Unlike conventional World Cups, the event is designed primarily around player development and participation.
The inaugural event features boys’ teams, while a girls’ edition is scheduled for 2027 and FIFA plans to stage separate boys’ and girls’ competitions annually from 2028 onwards.
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