U-17 World Cup-bound South Africa to curtain-raise for Blantyre Derby

South Africa will fine-tune for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup finals by playing a friendly against their Malawian counterparts on Sunday.

The Qatar-bound Amajimbos will face the Junior Flames in a curtain-raiser for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ clash against rivals Mighty Wanderers in Blantyre.

The Blantyre Derby involving the TNM Super League leaders and second-placed Wanderers will take place at Kamuzu Stadium.

What next for South Africa U-17 after Blantyre Derby?

It is South Africa’s last preparatory match before leaving for Qatar on Wednesday for the World Cup finals. The South Africans were drawn in Group A which comprises Qatar, Italy and Bolivia at the tournament which gets underway on November 3.

The Football Association of Malawi has since confirmed that the Amajimbos will jet in Blantyre on Friday ahead of the friendly.

Meanwhile, Malawi under-17 coach Enosi Chatama has named a 20-member squad for the warm up match against South Africa.

Malawi’s full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Opex Kamtwanje (Luwinga Academy), Jacob Banda (Topic Academy), Wonderful Lisimba (Disciples).

DEFENDERS: Tadala Mughogho (Ascent Academy), Francis Alfanzema (Nyambadwe United), Andrew Dickson (Liberty FC), Hastings Makwenda (Ekhaya Reserve), Hope Mustafa (Ekhaya Reserve), Mapalo Gumbo (Mzuzu City Hammers Youth), Chikondi Likambale (Silver Reserve).

MIDFIELDERS: Moffat Munyotho (Silver Strikers Youth), James Lumbe (Ekhaya FC), Shabani Daud (Mzuzu City Hummers Youth), Faizo Mangulenje (Ascent Academy), Joel Yakobe (Luwinga Academy), Vincent Thomson (CC Stars), Aubrey Divala (Lube Masters FC).

ATTACKERS: Ochesta Kanyenda (MK Academy), Owen Dzombe (Mighty Wanders Youth), Eric Phiri (Embangweni United).