Surestream to send U-16s to UK

Surestream Academy has said it plans to send the first group of 25 Under-16 players to United Kingdom in July next year for trial matches, the academy’s head coach Andy Dell told The Nation.

“They will play six trial games against two Premier League academy teams, then two Championship academy sides and finally two League One academy teams.

“That will give us an opportunity to see where we are compared to UK academies,” said Dell.

He said the games will be attended by scouts from Europe and beyond and, therefore, Malawian players will stand a chance to be signed by European youth teams as was the case with Robin Ngalande.

“If they impress, then definitely some of them could be signed and this is the purpose of setting up an academy,” said Dell.

The academy coach also said during the two-week tour, the youngsters will also have an opportunity to watch pre-season games and tour football facilities.

Asked why they had chosen the Under-16s, Dell said: “It is difficult to take children in the 8-14 age bracket for trials overseas.”

He also said they are planning to bring children from a UK academy to experience what it is like training in an African environment.

“Talks on all these plans are currently underway and our academy founder Chris Pitman, who has links with clubs in the UK, including Manchester United, is already working on that,” he said.