Banda confident of clinching Europe deal
Nyasa Big Bullets FC midfielder Peter Banda says he is confident of clinching a deal with Moldovan top-flight league club FC Sheriff Tiraspol.
The exciting winger said this just before departure for the Eastern European country for month-long trials from January 15.
I know it is not easy for an African player to adapt to European football systems, but with trust in God, nothing is impossible. I will work hard to realise my dream of playing overseas,” the son of former Bullets fallen star Chikondi Banda, said.
If successful, the 20year-old Flames attacker will reunite with compatriot Charles Petro, who has so far been with the Moldovan champions and leaders for a season.
The two attracted Tiraspol’s interest after their impressive performances at Bullets in 2019 when they emerged as Super League Player of the Season and Defender of the Season, respectively.
Prior to the latest trials, Banda had been trying his luck at various foreign league teams, including in Belgium and South Africa.
In 2018, he underwent unsuccessful trials at Belgian top club Club Brugge alongside teammate Precious Sambani and later in the same year, Banda underwent two-week trials at South Africa top league giants Orlando Pirates, but did not make it.
On his part, Petro, who travelled with Banda on Wednesday after a three-week holiday in the country, said he will push hard to continue impressing his club in the remaining two of his three-year contract.
The Flames defender, who is mostly featured as a holding midfielder in the foreign land, said: “With the experience I have so far in my first season with Tiraspol, I have discovered that I still need to pull up my socks further despite being impressive.
“The game in Europe is so challenging as one needs to be dedicated to improving fitness levels and endurance.”
The 19-year-old is the only member of the current Flames squad that plays in Europe and the second player from Malawi to be involved in the Uefa Champions League after featuring in recent qualifiers with Tiraspol.
The first Malawian player to get the feel of the Uefa Champions League was Esau Kanyenda while he was with Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow.
