The Malawi Under-15 National Football Team brought their FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 campaign to a winning close with a 2-0 victory over Rwanda at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday.

First-half goals from Takutzwa Maluwe and Lameck Kamanga proved decisive, with Prince Santos producing several important saves after the break to protect Malawi’s advantage.

The result earned Joseph Malizani’s side 15th place in Tier C and 79th overall. Both sides reached the attacking third during an evenly contested opening, with Rwanda creating the first clear opportunity when Kevin Tuyisenge headed over from a third-minute corner.

Malawi responded through Elisha Nyirenda, whose cross from the right sailed over the bar, before Kamanga fired off target from distance in the fifth minute. Sipho Ngwira tested Kevin Iratuzi a minute later, but the Rwanda goalkeeper held his long-range effort before claiming Kamanga’s corner in the eighth minute. Santos gathered a Rwanda attempt in the 11th minute before Malawi made the breakthrough two minutes later.

Maluwe won possession and fired into the far right corner to put the Junior Flames ahead. Rwanda sought a response from a corner in the 16th minute, but Santos punched away Thierry Kwizera’s delivery before Malawi cleared the danger.

Malizani introduced Intious Adam for Jazaka Amidu a minute later, and Malawi doubled their advantage from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.

Kamanga stepped up and sent Iratuzi the wrong way to give Malawi a 2-0 lead at the interval. Rwanda threatened immediately after the restart when Malawi lost possession, but Santos produced a brilliant save to tip the resulting strike over the crossbar.