The big stage is not meant for faint-hearted individuals.
This is exactly what FCB Nyasa Big Bullets attacking midfielder Wongani Lungu displayed when he was given his Malawi National Football Team debut.
Lungu, 23, was a surprise inclusion in the Flames squad which faced Comoros during the second leg of the African Nations Championship at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The former Mzuzu City Hammers midfielder replaced Bullets’ teammate Ephraim Kondowe in the starting line-up.
He was deployed behind lone striker Binwell Katinji and, as the false number 9, supported the Silver Strikers player while linking up play.
Lungu justified his inclusion in the squad when he opened the scoring for the Flames with a tap in after Comoros goalkeeper Ahmed Fadjidou fumbled a Gaddie Chirwa shot five minutes after the break.
“When I was named in the starting line-up, I was longing to score. I believed in God. I believed that I would score and was not afraid to be in the team,” Lungu said.
The midfielder said scoring on his Flames debut has given him impetus to work hard to scale the heights.
“Indeed, everything is possible as long as you believe in God and have confidence in yourself,” he said.
Before the current call-up, Lungu had been called for the senior side training on five occasions but his breakthrough came on Saturday.
“The key is in following instructions from the coaches and working hard. Now the goal is to become a Flames regular which I know will not be easy but I will continue working hard for both club and country.
“It will not be easy because every player fights to be in the team. I must also realise and accept that the coach picks his teams based on several factors, including performance in training and the game plan,” Lungu said.
On the domestic scene, he said he wanted to help Bullets win medals.
He dreams of earning a move abroad.
FACT FILE
Name: Wongani Lungu
Age: 23
Position: Attacking midfielder
Current Club: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Previous Club: Mzuzu City Hammers
Home District: Mzimba
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