FMB U-20 to extend to 2 more districts

The 2018 FMB Under-20 Football League will kick off on April 21 with an extension to two more districts.

National Youth Football Association (NYFA) chairperson Chimango Munthali said the names of the new districts will be unveiled early next month.

He said the extension will bring the number of districts to 14 while the teams will increase from 148 teams 170.

“It is good that we are extending to two other districts, this is very good for the sport. However, it is important to clearly indicate that the sponsor will advise on which districts we will extend to probably at a joint event to be conducted early April,” said Munthali.

FMB marketing manager Widdey Nsona said all the remaining districts with the bank’s branches have chances to be considered for the extension.

Last season, the league also extended to Rumphi, Mulanje and Mchinji.

“Last time, people voted on the district the league should extend to. As of now, we are still discussing on the criteria we will use to select the two districts we intend to add. The obvious thing is that the districts to be considered are those that have our branches,” said Nsona.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) first vice-president James Mwenda has applauded the bank for extending the league to other districts.

Blantyre-based Griffin Young Stars are the defending champions while Sanweka from Mzuzu were runners-up.

Some of the notable names to have graduated from this competition are Gerald Phiri Junior of Platinum Stars in South Africa, Lusaka Dynamos midfielder Dalitso Sailesi, Miracle Gabeya of Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers goalkeeper Brighton Munthali. n