Surestream snub foreign, local teams’ interest

Steamrolling Surestream Academy has politely snubbed advances by some foreign and local teams on some of its key Under-20 international players.

Surestream technical director Peter Mponda said Bloenfontein Celtic had expressed interest in striker Isaac Mwale and midfielder Ernest Tambe with the hope of signing them for their junior side whereas Big Bullets wanted to sign goalkeeper Bright Munthali and Mwale.

According to Mponda, Celtic have been monitoring Mwale and Tambe from the time the Under-20 national side played South Africa’s Amajita in a friendly game in Johannesburg in April this year and engaged coach Ernest Mtawali to facilitate the process.

Surestream technical director Peter Mponda confirmed that there were a number of clubs that had shown interest in his players.

“At first Celtic were keen to have a look at Tambe, but we informed the Under-20 national coach that he was still in the process of development, then more recently, they also expressed interest in Isaac.

“Our response was still the same that these lads are going through a process and they need to be given at least one more season so that they can be ready for a bigger stage. I would not say, we are denying them the opportunity for greener pastures, but it would be unfair to them if we release them at this stage,” said Mponda.

Commenting on Bullets’ interest, Mponda said: “We also advised them to hold on a bit. These players have not yet matured, it takes time to go through that process.”

He said the academy’s first option will be to send outstanding players overseas for trials.

“Already the Surestream Petroleum managing director Chris Pitman is happy with the lads’ progress and his priority is that once they are ready, they will be sent to Europe for trials,” he said.

Bullets general secretary Harold Fote confirmed that his team did express interest in the two players.

“We were, however, advised to wait for a year or so to give them time to mature,” he said.

Apart from Mwale, Tambe and Munthali other Surestream Under-20 internationals include Mark Fodya, Trevor Kalema and Levison Maganizo.