In what appears a rgorous process the lucky ones have to go through, noplayer has yet made the grade for Surestream Academy in Blantyre.
The academy’s national grass roots manager Patricio Kulemeka said on Thursday test matches are still underway with the latest to be held on Friday at Surestream Stadium, formerly MDC Stadium.
What the academy, which opened its doors in October, has is potential material likely to make the cream of 100 players to be groomed for European football markets. The final squad will be going for overseas youth competitions, among others.
“It is worth at this point to say no player has been identified or drafted into the academy as we are still sampling and scouting for these players,” Kulemeka said in a statement.
Friday’s trial matches will involve selected schools from the Surestream Youth Development League.
The Under-10 (Chiswe), Under-12 (Kalulu), Under-14 (Kudu) and Under-16 (Mbawala) will square up against visiting teams from Nasawa Football Academy and Bangwe Sports Development.
“This is our first exhibit of Surestream Youth Development League and also our mobile school of excellence products with school players drawn from Surestream Stadium Development Centre; Kamuzu Stadium Centre, Saint Andrews International Primary School Centre and Chiwembe Technical Centre,” he said.
Countries such as Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire’s football academies have produced world stars such as Emmanuel Mayuka and Yaya Toure respectively.
