The Malawi U20 Women’s National soccer team on Wednesday morning started training in preparation for back to back 2020 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Preliminary Round qualifying matches against Zimbabwe.

The team’s head coach, Maggie Chombo Sadik, named a 40 member squad to report at Mpira Village in Blantyre on Tuesday afternoon.

According to  Football Association of Malawi (FAM) director of competitions, Gomezgani Zakazaka, all the players have reported for camp except Ntopwa Queens goalkeeper, Tadala Kaime and Atu Ladies defender, Naomi Salima, who are attending to personal engagements.

Head Coach Maggie Chombo Sadik said the girls have responded positively during the first training.

Chombo Sadiki said: “We were assessing their fitness levels and they look to be in fine shape. They are all determined to play for their country and by next week we will have a team ready to do the country proud.”

In her squad, Chombo has recalled nine players that were part of the first ever Malawi Under 20 Women’s team that went to the Zone VI games in Botswana in December 2018.

The old guns include goalkeepers Ruth Mhango and Lucy Mbanganiko; midfielders Chimwemwe Bonongwe, Grace Yotamu, Zainab Kapanda; Defender Catherine Kachala as well as strikers Yamikani Mhango and Gladys Banda.

Malawi will first host Zimbabwe at the Kamuzu Stadium on January 18, before the second leg scheduled for Bulawayo, between January 31 and February 2.