"We are ready to compete" – Malawi coach fires warning shot ahead of Cosafa

Malawi assistant coach Peter Mponda believes the team has a strong chance to perform well in this year’s Cosafa Cup, which will be held from June 4–15 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

His comments follow the group stage draw that placed Malawi in Group B alongside Angola, Namibia, and Lesotho. Only the top team from each of the four groups will progress to the semifinals.

Mponda expressed confidence in Malawi’s current form, despite acknowledging the strength of their opponents.

“We are ready to compete. The group has good teams with potential to compete. Of course, we failed to do well in the CHAN tournament. It’s a fair draw to Malawi, when you look at Namibia, Lesotho and Angola are good teams and have chances of qualifying. Based on the CHAN tournament, we created some chances but we didn’t take them and we were much organised at the midfield, the team is in good shape and we have what it takes to do well in this tournament,” he said.

Malawi did not participate in the 2024 edition of the COSAFA Cup following the tragic death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima in a plane crash.

Their last appearance was in 2023, when they finished fourth after a 5-3 penalty shootout loss to South Africa. That year, Malawi topped Group B with nine points, finishing ahead of Zambia, Comoros, and Seychelles, under the guidance of coach Patrick Mabedi.