Namwela on scouts radar
In just his second competitive game for the Flames, Be Forward Wanderers box-to-box holding midfielder Rafiq Namwela has attracted interest of player scouts here at Cosafa Castle Cup in Namibia.
The scouts, who are from different countries, including South Africa, Mauritius and Mozambique, have already made inquiries on the player’s details.
Malawi head of delegation Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Alfred Gunda confirmed the development yesterday.
“There are a number of players such as Gabadinho Mhango, Gerald Phiri Jnr and Joseph Kamwendo that impressed the scouts. But they are particularly interested in Rafiq because he is still playing in the Super League,” he said.
However, Gunda said for the time being, he would like the players to concentrate on the tournament.
“I don’t want these things to distract the players. The other issues to do wth scouts can be discussed with the players’ clubs later,” he said.
Commenting on the overall performance of Malawi, Gunda, a former Mzuzu University (Mzuni) defender, was confident that Malawi is capable of bringing home the Cosafa Cup.
“The team is getting better by each game,” he said. “As long as we keep the momentum, the trophy is ours.”
Namwela has fitted well in a holding midfielder role partnering Kamwendo in the absence of dropped Mozambique-based Chimango Kayira.
But he had to endure baptism of fire in a humiliating debut in Zimbabwe when Malawi lost 3-0 to Zimbabwe Warriors in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier a week ago.
Yet, his performance in that disaster also stood out as he earned commentators praise. He went on to put up an impressive performance when Malawi held Namibia to a goalless draw last Wednesday.
On Sunday, Namwela was all over the Angolans and provided assist for Gabadihno Mhango’s second goal after a swift one-two with the Bidvets Wits-bound striker.
Namwela, a product of Surestream Academy, who joined Wanderers at the beginning of the season, has since pledged to stay on top of his game.
“With the support of the team, we can achieve a lot. What is important is team-work,” he said.
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