Twenty-three year-old Malawian Benjamin Tembo, who is studying at The Master’s College in USA, has won the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Player of The Year Award following his impressive performance in his college’s football team which competes in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championships.
He beat football players from other affiliate colleges and universities such as Arizona Christian University, Hope International University, Menlo College, San Diego Christian College, Vanguard University, Westmont College, William Jessup University and Life Pacific College.
This is the second consecutive award for Tembo, who got a scholarship to study in US while at Kamuzu Academy through an organisation called ChisomoIdea.
Last season, he won the award after scoring 17 goals with eight assists while this season he netted 10 goals and had four assists.
“Ten years have passed since such a thing happened in the GSAC league and I am honoured to emerge as one,” said Tembo.
He said it takes hard work on the pitch to satisfy a panel of coaches from the league who vote for the winner.
Tembo’s former coach Mike Banda hailed the player for the achievement.
“Benjamin was a model student at Kamuzu Academy. He excelled academically and his behaviour was so good. He was also one of the best players I have ever worked with on the football pitch. He has all the ingredients to make it big in football if he decides to play beyond college,” he said. n
