Ascent Academy bag overseas football cup
Malawi’s Ascent Soccer Academy on Sunday lifted the Under-16 Rey Cup in Iceland with a 1-0 win over hosts Pottur in the final.
Team captain Mwisho Mhango’s priceless strike from a free-kick was enough for the Lilongwe-based side to cap their first European tour in an extraordinary fashion as they won all their six games, scoring 21 goals and not conceding.
On their way to the final, they booted out defending champions Fleetwood of the United Kingdom (UK) with a 3-0 thumping in the semi-finals.
At least 16 professional academy teams from the UK, United States of America (USA), Iceland and Malawi took part in the two-week long competition.
Ascent Academy director and coach Thom Mkolongo yesterday said their squad impressed with some flawless pass-and-move football action and clinical finishing that the likes of Mhango, Hermas Massinja, Yusef Nathunga, Washari Jazira and goalkeeper Julius Banda displayed at the event.
He said: “It was beautiful to see the lads receiving a raucous standing ovation from fans around the Icelandic National Stadium due to their outstanding performance,” he said.
“We enjoyed our football throughout the tournament because we focused on our trademark pass-and-move football as our opponents dwelled much on speed and being too physical. It really feels great to wrap up our fixtures without conceding a single goal.”
Ascent founder George Maguire said winning a European tournament at first time of asking is their biggest achievement as an academy.
“This just shows what a long-term strategy, vision, organisation and significant investment into talent from Malawi can achieve. We are very proud of our players, who have stepped up in a new environment to deliver a number of outstanding performances and moments to lift the Rey Cup,” he said.
The 18-day tour also saw the Ascent playing friendly games against academies of Iceland’s professional teams. They also participated in some cultural activities, including whale watching and visiting areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Golden Circle.
