South African National First Division (NFD) side Jomo Cosmos says it has not abandoned Malawian players, but that their focus is now to rejuvenate the team and earn promotion back into the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Cosmos boast of being the foreign team to have signed the highest number of Malawian players, but for the past three seasons, they have not signed any.
The club’s locally-based agent Ben Chiwaya also played down suggestions that they might have been frustrated by their failure to sign Gabadinho Mhango and Gastin Simkonda.
Said Chiwaya: “The interest in Malawian players is still there, but having been relegated about three seasons ago, the team was dismantled and the technical panel had to start all over again. The priority now is to earn promotion back to the PSL and it seems we are getting there as we are currently fifth on the log table.
“Our managing director and coach Jomo Sono also visited the country briefly last week on a private trip and raised that issue.”
Chiwaya said their target now is scouting for emerging talent other than a finished product.
“The MD actually suggested that should we earn promotion, the team could come here for pre-season preparations, but that will depend on the local schedule at that particular time because we might play some friendly games and we wouldn’t want that programme to clash with the season here,” said Chiwaya.
He said the pre-season friendlies would also help Cosmos panel scout for talent.
The last Malawian to feature for Cosmos was Peter Wadabwa before he moved to Thanda Royal Zulu and then his present club Golden Arrows.
Other Malawian players who turned out for Cosmos include Esau Kanyenda, Russell Mwafulirwa, Ernest Mtawali, Meke Mwase, Hendrix Banda, Peter Mgangira, Jones Nkhwazi, and the departed Cliffton Msiya, Frank Sinalo, Matthews Phiri, Siliati Maganga, Dave Maleta and Konnex Kalembo.
