The Beach Soccer Association of Malawi (BSAM) has asked the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to help the national beach soccer team secure international friendly matches before the end of the year, as hopes of participating in the 2025 Cosafa Championship continue to diminish.

BSAM General Secretary Frank Chisambula said the team urgently needs competitive matches, especially with the Cosafa competition still hanging in the balance.

“With the official host nation for Cosafa yet to be identified, the possibility of the tournament happening this year looks slim,” Chisambula explained. “Our team has now gone a full year without being active, and arranging strength-testing matches would be ideal. We are engaging FAM to explore opportunities for international friendlies so that the players can remain competitive.”

Chisambula revealed that Mozambique, Tanzania and Seychelles are among the countries being considered for potential friendlies.

Meanwhile, national beach soccer head coach Willy Kumilambe expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the regional tournament.

“It is going to be a major concern if the Cosafa competition fails to take place this year,” Kumilambe said. “The championship could have given us a good platform to test new players and measure our progress against top regional sides.”

Kumilambe however stressed that friendlies could still provide a valuable alternative.

“Even if Cosafa doesn’t happen, the proposed international friendlies will give us a chance to rebuild the team and prepare for future competitions,” he added.

The national beach soccer team last played competitively in 2023, and officials believe that regular international exposure is critical if Malawi is to remain competitive on the continental stage.