Vitumbiko Mkandawire

At the mention of Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP), some to people are only reminded of the atrocities this paramilitary wing used to commit in the one-party era.

Rarely do people remember MYP’s positive contributions, especially to the country’s football through its Lilongwe-based side Spearhead FC.

According to former Spearhead left back 44-year-old Vitumbiko Mkandawire, who played for the team between 1988 and 1994, it polished local stars as one of the giant teams in the country.

Mkandawire, who moved to Silver Strikers in 1995, said apart from shaping stars such as Hendrix Banda, Shadreck Mpesi and the late Shaba Phiri, Spearhead was promoted to the Super League in 1993 and also played in the finals of Chibuku and Press cups.

“Our team entered the 1993 Super League season on a high note. We could beat big teams such as the now defunct MDC United 4-0. That year, we reached finals of Chibuku and Press, which we lost 5-4 (on penalties) and 2-1 to Silver Strikers and Bata Bullets respectively,” recalled the fifth-born son to veteran musician and broadcaster Mjura Mkandawire.

The father of two said players’ discipline and training were secrets to the team’s success that season.

“That time, coaches built us mentally to be psychologically mature. We did extra physical training before or after football training sessions. Sometime, we could forego a ride on the coaster and jog to the training ground,” said the Unilever employee, who earned a national team call-up in 1992.

Mkandawire was man of the match in his first Super League match that ended in a 0-0 draw against Mighty Wanderers.