Stadal beach soccer launched: Escom pip Army Naval for title
Stadal Building Construction Company Southern Region Beach Soccer which sponsored is to the tune of K2.5 million (about $6 250) was launched with pomp on Saturday in the shores of Lake Malawi at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge with Escom defeating Army Navy 3-2 in a mini-tournament to spice up the launching ceremony.
The electricians pruned Zitherepano 7-3 in the semi-finals to reach the finals while Army Navy saw off Yagao 4-5.
During the finals, both sides showed determination to open the score sheet first but lack of composure and long balls frustrated them.
However, it was Army Navy which breathed fire in the first and second quarter that it was not surprising when they were first to open the score sheet through Jackson Kubwezo before the electricians equalized courtesy of Chauncy Msiska, who scored a brace.
Navy accelerate their gear in the last quarter when Enock Kamwana brought smile to the military
out-fit with an equalizer.
The referee Sam Mangasanja did not hesitate but to blow the final whistle for penalties to separate men from boys.
On spot kick, Escom became victors after Benard Mwahimba, Wado Chinkombero and Chauncy Msiska converted their penalties while Yohane Njinkho and Innocent Kondowe managed to score for Army Navy with Ken Malunga and Williard Maunde missing their shots.
Remarks
Stadal managing director Stanford Mpoola hailed both teams for displaying a stunning performance and vowed to sponsor beach soccer on the national level basing on the discipline and organization
of the Southern Region League.
“I will continue sponsoring the League and if all goes well and with your support in future my plans is to go on national level. Let me appeal to the organizers’ and teams to maintain discipline because beach soccer is the peaceful game where a family can go and watch without violence,” said Mpoola.
Mpoola also assured the 12 teams which will take part during the entire tournament to get set because they have line up a number of different prizes basing in categories ranging from best goalkeeper, defender, and striker, midfielder.
FA Malawi
Football Association of Malawi vice president Pikawo Ngalamira, who was the guest of honour hailed Stadal Building Contractors for the sponsorship and urged other companies to emulate Stadal example.
“We do not take this sponsorship for granted and let me assure you the sponsor that as FAM we will do whatever we can to protect this sponsorship,” he said.
Ngalamira also warned all the participating teams, officials and organizers to be more disciplined in order to safe guard the sponsorship.
“Let me also ask the organizers to be more transparent when handling cash because Mpoola has invested a lot of money in this league which he could have used for personal business. As FAM we will not tolerate violence because we are after a well organized League,” he said.
Beach Soccer President Kondwani Gondwe expressed gratitude to Stadal for pumping in a lot of money in beach soccer at the time most companies are not showing an interest in sponsoring the game.
Prizes
After the mini-tournament, Ben Mwamba and Jackson Kumbweletso became the top scorers with six goals each while best goalkeeper went to Leonard Makumba for Escom and Chauncy Msiska scooping the player of the tournament award.
For becoming champions, Escom received a whooping of K50,000 while Army Navy went away with K30,000 for becoming second.
Yogao went home with K20, 000 for becoming third while Zitherepano were given K10,000 for finishing fourth.
