Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Vice President Christopher Madalitso Kuyera has described this year’s beach soccer competition, held at Arnold Lakeshore Resort in Nkhotakota, as highly competitive and well organised.
He made the remarks at the end of the two-day tournament held on Saturday and Sunday, where Sunbird Nkopola from Mangochi District were crowned champions following a 4-1 victory over Peninsula Stars of Karonga.
Kuyera said the tournament attracted strong support and featured closely contested matches, making it difficult to predict which teams would reach the finals or eventually win the championship.
“We are happy with the way the tournament was organised and we hope to improve it even more in the coming years,” he said.
Chairperson for the Beach Soccer Association of Malawi, False Ngwira, said the tournament has demonstrated the growth of beach soccer in the country, adding that the association is considering expanding the sport to more districts, including Likoma.
Head Coach for the Malawi National Beach Soccer Team, Willy Kumilambe, said the competition helped him scout additional players for the national team ahead of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for September.
Sunbird Nkopola received K7 million from FAM and K2 million from Beach Soccer Association of Malawi Chairperson False Ngwira.
Runners-up Peninsula Stars received K4 million from FAM and K1 million from FAM Vice President Christopher Madalitso Kuyera, while third-placed Umodzi of Salima received K2 million from FAM and K500,000 from Kuyera.
Outstanding players also received K100,000 each, with Mackson Mzembe of Peninsula Stars and Isaac Jamu of Sunbird Nkopola named Best Goalkeeper and Player of the Tournament respectively.
Yusuf Issa of Umodzi and Isaac Jamu finished as joint top scorers with nine goals each and received K50,000 apiece.
The tournament brought together six teams from lakeshore districts across the country namely Umodzi of Salima, Sunbird Nkopola of Mangochi, Peninsula Stars of Karonga, Chintheche Beach Eagles of Nkhata Bay, and hosts Rank and Vinthenga from Nkhotakota.
By Wongani Mkonkholo, Nkhotakota
