Partnered with England under the 'UEFA-CAF Meridian Project' which encourages European national football associations to assist the development of football in Africa, the Malawi delegation will be based at Keele Conference Park and undergo an intensive programme of training and matches as they prepare for the semi-final stages of the COSAFA Castle Cup - southern Africa's premier cup competition - next month.

Currently ranked 122 out of 203 in the FIFA rankings, the Malawi team line-up includes a number of South African-based professionals and, like England, has a Scandinavian coach, in the form of Kim Splidsboel from Denmark.

The team's first fixture against Stockport County will be played as an exhibition match at the Manchester Umbro International Football Festival at 2pm on Thursday 25th July, watched by Malawi's Minister for Sport, Moses Dossi. The Festival is Britain's largest youth sports event, embracing 400 teams from 25 countries playing at all levels from mini-soccer to open age. The team will hold an open training session at the Festival on Saturday morning prior to their match against Altrincham. Before their final fixture against First Division Walsall, they will participate in a specialist training session with FA sports scientists at Lilleshall and enjoy invitations to visit both Liverpool and Manchester United academies.

"It's a rewarding experience for us to host the Malawi team", said Head of International Relations, Jane Bateman, "as it helps their players and staff alike to get a feel for how football is played in this country - most of whom have not visited England before - and to learn from the experience. It also helps us to gain a better understanding of Malawian football, its needs and how we can help it to develop, which is equally important for the ongoing healthy and mutually rewarding partnership between our associations."

Malawi, Botswana and Lesotho are England's partners under the UEFA-CAF Meridian Project and The Football Association has been acknowledged as one of the leading European participants in the programme. The FA has organised workshops for administrators and referees in each country and annually invites their coaches and referees to attend FA courses in England. The assistance is funded by The FA's International Development Programme which offers assistance to promote and develop the game in every corner of the world.

Malawi National Team Fixtures:

Thursday 25th July
Malawi 3 - 1 Stockport County FC
Goals: John Mabuka (Malawi), Heston Munthali (Malawi). Rickie Lambert (Stockport), Heston Munthali (Malawi) 
Manchester Umbro International Football Festival,
Manchester University Playing Fields, Manchester.

Saturday 27th July
Altrincham FC 2 - 3 Malawi 
Goals: Steve Bakali (Malawi), Jones Nkhwazi (Malawi), Rod Thornley -pen (Altrincham), Simon Woodford (Altrincham), Sherry Msuku (Malawi)
Moss Lane Stadium, Altrincham.

Friday 2nd August
Malawi v Walsall FC
Hednesford Town FC, Keys Park, Hednesford
Kick off 7.30pm (Tel: 01922 622791)