JBF, Matindi progress to Nigeria
Joyce Banda Foundation (JBF) on Sunday retained the Airtel Rising Star Football Tournament honours after edging past resilient Nanjati CDSS 3-2 at the Lilongwe Technical College.
JBF were 2-0 down at half-time through goals from Nanjati’s Limbani Phiri and Hastings Lanjesi, but they made a strong comeback and scored three goals in the second-half .
Precious Msosa was the hero for JBF. He scored a brace while Trevor Kalima scored the winning goal to deny Nanjati a passage to Nigeria.
In an earlier match, Matindi Girls Private School were crowned champions after seeing-off a determined challenge from Save Our Souls (SOS) Private School to win 2-1 through penalty shoot outs.
The two winning teams will compete with other teams from countries in the Airtel Rising Star African Championship to be hosted by Nigeria in September.
In boys football, Timothy Govah of JBF together with Nanjati’s Limbikani Phiri will attend a Manchester United coaching clinic to be hosted by DR Congo in September.
Fanny Mwale Omega and Kapulukira from SOS are the girls selected to travel to DR Congo for the Man United soccer coaching clinic.
Airtel Malawi sales and distribution director Elias Dziko announced that despite that the three-year sponsorship had come to an end his company will comeback next year with a new package.
“We have been impressed with what the tournament has achieved in the three years. Products of the Airtel Rising Star have featured for the Under-17 national football team. This is the objective which we set to achieve,” said Dziko.
Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) hailed Airtel for its commitment to uplifting football at the grass roots.
“This is wonderful news. Not only for Massa but all stakeholders including secondary schools which were waiting with abated breath to hear the future of the sponsorship. Now our hearts are settled. We are very grateful to Airtel for the commitment,” said Massa general Blackson Malamula.
Malawi National Council of Sports (MNSC) executive secretary George Jana and FAM competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka were among the high-profile guests that watched the finals.
