Malawi Hosts CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers
During the opening ceremony at Mpira Stadium, Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire highlighted the government's commitment to developing women's football in Malawi.
Blantyre, Malawi - Malawi is hosting the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League | COSAFA qualifiers, with eight teams vying for a place in the continental finals. The tournament kicked off on Thursday in Blantyre, with matches scheduled through August 24th, writes Happy Valirani.
The eight teams are divided into two groups, A and B, with four teams in each group. The group stage features a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The winner of the tournament will face the two-time champion, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, in the finals. Sundowns, the 2021 and 2023 champions, have already secured their place in the continental finals.
Malawi's Ascent Soccer Academy is competing in Group B alongside Gaborone United of Botswana, Young Buffaloes of Eswatini, and UD de Lichinga of Mozambique.
Ascent will play its first group match against Young Buffaloes on Friday at Mpira Stadium before facing UD de Lichinga on Sunday at the same venue.
During the opening ceremony at Mpira Stadium, Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire highlighted the government's commitment to developing women's football in Malawi.
"We are very honored as a country to host this year's tournament," Mkandawire said.
"As government, we are committed to supporting women's football, and we are constructing more stadia and supporting our national teams in all tournaments."
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of promoting women's football alongside men's.
"I believe that this tournament is going to motivate the girl child in Malawi for those who want to be players," he said.