Under-20 Cosafa exploits excite sponsor

First Capital Bank (FCB) has said it is encouraged by the FCB Under-20 Katswiri Football League products’ overall performance as the Junior Flames competed at the Cosafa Under-20 Championship in eSwatini.

The bank’s head of marketing Twikale Chirwa yesterday said although the league contributed only four of the 20 junior national team players, it was encouraging to see their outstanding individual display on the field of play.”

In the Junior Flames squad, the FCB Under-20 League contributed first-choice goalkeeper Austin Chirambo of Manchester Motor Spares FC, striker Vincent Mkandawire of Rumphi Tigers, midfielder Chimwemwe Nkhoma of Bico FC and defender Kondwani Chirwa of Real Stars.

Chirambo made some extraordinary saves between the sticks, including, saving a penalty in Malawi’s 2-0 victory over South Africa in their opener while Mkandawire scored the Junior Flames’ first goal of that match with a powerful header.

This year, the Junior Flames have failed to progress to the semi-finals due to an inferior goal-difference following a tie on six points with Group C winners South Africa.

They loast to Comoros 2-0 in their second match after beating South Africa by the same margin.

Chirwa said: “To say the truth, the boys put up a gallant fight and it was just unfortunate to be booted out in the group stage.

“In spite of that, we are encouraged to see how the products of our league performed; they gave us a good picture of how our junior league is nurturing talents into quality players that can deliver at any level of competition. It was a marvel to watch the goalkeeper producing wonderful saves, including a penalty and see one of our products scoring an international goal.”

National Youth Football Association (NYFA) general secretary James Sawerengera said they were excited that the sponsors are able to see the fruits of the Under-20 league.

“What is so exciting about our players is that they do not play with pressure. It is quite encouraging to see that the sponsors are able to see this for themselves,” he said.