Malawian internationals—midfielder Frank Banda and goalkeeper Charles Swini’s club União Desportiva do (UD) Songo—has retained the Mozambican top-flight Mocambola League with a game to spare.
UD Songo have 58 points with a game to wind up the season while second-placed Ferroviario de Nampula have 54 points also with a game to go which even if they win, will take their tally to 57.
The Songo-based side sealed the title on Sunday when they played out a one-all draw against Maio de Quelimane while Ferroviario de Nampula lost at Ferroviario de Beira 3-0.
Banda, who was again a regular feature for the champions this season, said it felt good to retain the league.
“It is not easy to win the league back to back and obviously we are excited as a team.
“It shows the effort we put in as players and the support we got from team management,” he said.
On his part, Swini said: “I am proud to be part of this historic feat in a foreign land.”
The Mocambola League prize money is sponsored by Standard Bank to the tune of $750 000 (about K550 million).
Other Malawian players to have won the Mozambican league in the recent past are Zicco Mkanda with Liga Desportivo in 2014. He had earlier won it in 2013 alongside Joseph Kamwendo.
Some of the Malawian players who play in the top Mozambican league are Richard Mbulu, Schumacher Kuwali, Chawanangwa Kaonga, John ‘CJ’ Banda, Simplex Nthala, Idrissa Walesi, Mathews Sibale and Jimmy Ukonde.
