Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has expressed willingness to do more in supporting football development across the country.
Speaking after watching the final of the Goshen- Fam National Women’s Championship at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, on Saturday, Bushiri said he also wanted to find ways of supporting men’s football through his firm Goshen City.
“We also want to see what we can do for men’s football. We believe there is a lot of talent in this country. We just need to work together with Fam [Football Association of Malawi] and all stakeholders in making sure that the talent we see in the country’s football does not go to waste,” he said.
Bushiri said his ultimate goal remains helping to export talent from the country to top leagues across the world.
Fam president Fleetwood Haiya said it was a successful tournament.
“I am very satisfied with what we have seen throughout the week when the best talent in our women’s football was on display. We have not heard about any issues to do with the running of this competition. We saw many people coming to watch these games and the atmosphere was electric.
“We saw young players displaying their talent here. There were under-15 and under-20 players in most of the teams that came here. This is very encouraging to us as we are forging ahead with developing football at the grassroots. These young players will be very vital in realizing our goal of transforming the game,” Haiya said.
Kukoma Ntopwa Women won the championship for the second time with a 4-3 post-match penalty victory over Silver Strikers Ladies following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation.
The winners will represent Malawi at the Cosafa qualifiers of the Caf Women’s Club Champions League in August and Bushiri pledged to help them make the trip.
The Amaghetto Kids also lifted the 2022 edition of the competition with a 5-3 triumph over Ascent Academy on spot-kicks after the two teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
Saturday’s success saw Ntopwa receiving K9 million.
This was enough to see the team’s coach and owner Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman and some of his players shedding tears of joy.
Osman said they got what they wanted.
“This is unbelievable! We are back as champions and flag carriers at the Cosafa Champions League. The girls have really made me proud,” he said.
Silver Ladies coach Andrew Chikhosi commended his charges for putting up a gallant fight.
“It is unfortunate that we have missed out on the opportunity of becoming Goshen national champions for the first time. But life must go on. We will give it another try next time,” Chikhosi said.
The two teams’ last meeting in the 2023 edition of the competition also ended 1-1, with Ntopwa going on to beat Silver Ladies, who were then known as DD Sunshine, 5-3 on post-match penalties.
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