Petro in search for 4th award

Moldova-based Flames defender Charles Petro has been nominated for Player of the Month Award for February following his impressive performance at Moldovan top-flight league outfit Sheriff Tiraspol.

The former Nyasa Big Bullets defender, who has already won the award three times, will compete against 14 other players.

The Flames star has since asked soccer lovers to vote for him on the East European club’s official Facebook page FC Sheriff.

He said: “I thank fellow Malawians for their continued support and I do not take it for granted. I promise to continue working hard at my club and the national team to appreciate their love.”

Flames coach Meck Mwase said he is happy that the 19-year-old, who is earmarked to be part of the national football team’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against South Sudan and Uganda this month, continues to outstandingly perform in the foreign land.

“It feels good to hear that our player continues to be among the best at Sheriff,” he said.

Since football restarted in Moldova after restrictions due to Covid-19, Petro has featured in Sheriff’s two league games that saw them thrashing Sfintul George 4-1 and Zimbru 4-0.

His compatriot and former teammate at Nyasa Big Bullets, Peter Banda, featured in one of the games as a left winger.

Petro, who is in his debut season at the Moldovan club, has so far scored three goals while deployed as a central midfielder.

He joined Sheriff for an undisclosed fee from Bullets in February last year.

Sheriff, who are the reigning champions, are on the right path to a successful title defence as they lead the 10-team log table with 61 points from 22 games, six points ahead of second-placed Petrocub, who have played a game more.