Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it has not set any targets for the Malawi Under-15 National Football Team at the inaugural Under-15 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The team departed yesterday to compete in the invitational global youth showpiece.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said in an interview that they do not want to exert unnecessary pressure for the team.

He said: “I am not expecting them to win the tournament, I am not even expecting them to win five or six games.

“The priority is to provide them the platform to showcase their talents. What I have told them is that the flag they are carrying represents the entire nation of 23 million people and they should work hard. Every young boy and girl is looking at them as our representatives.”

Haiya said participation in the competition is part of the association’s strategy to strengthen grassroots football and develop young players.

He said the tournament could also support FAM’s player-export strategy by exposing youngsters to international scouts.

“These Under-15 players are our future. They are our exports and I believe this World Cup could unveil two or three players who may be scouted and invited for trials,” said Haiya.

He said more football academies and schools of excellence are needed to develop players for the senior national team, the Flames.

In an interview before flying out to the eastern European country, head coach Joseph Malizani said the tournament will give the young players an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition.

He said the squad completed a training camp that began on October 14, with the technical panel working on moving the ball to create scoring opportunities.

“We need to move the ball, not the players. We do not want them to get tired, but we want the ball to move around the field so that we can score goals,” said Malizani.

He said the tournament would also help the players gain international experience at an early stage of their careers.

“I have told them to go and show that Malawian players  are good,” said Malizani.

He urged Malawians to take the competition seriously despite its festival format, which provides Under-15 teams with international match experience.

Malawi will face Algeria, Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Oman and Suriname in Group B.