Update: Following earlier announcements regarding the national football squads, the Malawi men's national team, the Flames, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia in an international friendly match on Saturday. According to Africa Top Sports, the match at Dire Dawa International Stadium saw the hosts claim victory after an early third-minute goal by Fitmus Tirahun. Despite second-half pressure and multiple missed chances, the Flames were unable to equalise.
Update: In women's football, the Malawi Scorchers concluded their two-match friendly tour in Tanzania with a goalless draw on Saturday, as reported by the Football Association of Malawi. Building on their previous 1-0 loss to Tanzania in the opening match, the squad is now shifting its focus toward preparations for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
In other football developments, the Government of Japan donated 36 footballs to the Football Association of Malawi on Friday to support local development programmes. Africa Top Sports reports that Japanese Ambassador Naito Yasushi handed over the equipment provided by the Japan Football Association, highlighting the donation as a symbol of the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.