Africa-Press – Malawi. The announcement of Malawi’s 36-member Under-17 Girls National Team squad, set to begin preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, has sparked mixed reactions after half of the players were selected from a single academy.
Head Coach Chisomo Nkhoma has included 18 players from Luwinga Academy, alongside six from Ascent Academy.
The remaining slots have been filled by players from Mighty Queens, Creck Sporting, Mzuzu City Hammers, TC11, and Topic Queens.
The Young Scorchers are scheduled to face Burundi in a two-legged qualifier, with the first match set for 11 April 2026 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The return leg will take place a week later in Burundi.
The team is expected to report for camp on Sunday, 22 March 2026, at Luwinga Technical Centre in Mzuzu.
However, the heavy representation from Luwinga Academy has raised concerns among some supporters, who question whether the selection reflects limited scouting efforts.
Reactions on the Football Association of Malawi’s official Facebook page highlight the debate.
One commenter, Henry Henzin Wilson, criticized the imbalance, asking how half the squad could come from a single team.
Myles Chisi echoed similar sentiments, questioning whether the squad represents the national team or Luwinga Academy.
On the other hand, some have defended the selections, arguing that Luwinga Academy currently boasts some of the country’s top young talent.
Still, voices like Jacob Nansongole have called for broader scouting to ensure inclusivity and give opportunities to players from across Malawi.
The winner of the tie between Malawi and Burundi will advance to the next round, where they will face either South Sudan or Ethiopia.
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