Countrywide Car hire scouts soccer gems in Neno

Malawi’s arguably leading company in the car hire industry, Country Wide, has exposed talented footballers in the southern region district of Neno through its prestigious trophy which is in the semi final stage.

Neno, a district which is regarded as one of the most underdeveloped in the country, proved to most  soccer lovers from Blantyre who braved the pitted and axle-snapping dirt roads in the district just to watch a semi final game between Neno Vission and Neno United, that there is untapped talent in the district.

One of the Blantyre based soccer fans who watched the game, Chrispin Banda, said the district is hiding potential footballers while mentioning enterprising left winger Emmanuel Ludaviko, Patrick Kalua of Neno United and talisman Brian Mpapa, agile goalkeeper Francis, Harry Matundu as some of the players who can perform at super league level.

“Honestly, Neno is hiding talented footballers. I have watched very entertaining game which was characterized by nothing but skills. I could not believe seeing Vision striker (Brian) scoring with easy. The chap has future.

“And again, there were wingers for United, Patrick and Emmanuel, who served their teammates with pinpoint crosses. I hope they failed to get a goal because Vision goalie Francis was just gud,” said Banda.

Speaking to Nyasa Times, 17-year old Ludaviko blamed the inaccessibility of the district as one of the key factors which denies them a breakthrough.

“Before I started playing competitive football, I was inspired by some players whom to me deserved to play in super league. Surprisingly, they did not play even in premier league.

“This discourages me and I just play football because I have the talent because I know no matter how great I can be, good teams will not see me. In fact, we are being denied a breakthrough because of the inaccessibility of the district. Had it been that we had a good road network, coaches of big clubs could have been coming to scout players,” said Ludaviko, a form three student at Chiwale Secondary School.

Countrywide Car Hire owner Mike Mlombwa has pledged continued sponsorship to football talent identification tournaments.