The U20 men’s national football team technical panel will this weekend embark on a Regional talent identification exercise to scout players in preparation for the 2021 COSAFA Championship.

The panel will conduct trials for 355 players who were scouted by the National Youth Football Association (NYFA) and the Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) during the district clusters talent identification exercise held in July.

The exercise will be held in the Central and Northern Regions from 31st July to 1st August before moving to the Eastern and Southern Regions from 7th to 8th August.

Head Coach Patrick Mabedi said they expect to select 65 players who will be invited for a national camp between to be convened from 16th to 25th August.

Mabedi said: “We want to give a chance to all players across the country that’s why we started with district clusters where Massa and NYFA helped us identify best players from the districts.”

According to Mabedi they are looking for players born not earlier than 1st January 2003 so that they are eligible for CAF Under 20 qualifiers next year.

“We want them to be together for some time before the CAF qualifiers and not just for months as has been the case in the past because the longer they stay together, the stronger and competitive they will become,” he said.