Swini named best goalkeeper in Mozambique
Flames first choice goalkeeper Charles Swini has become the second Malawian to win the Best Goalkeeper Award in the Mozambican National Premier League, the Mocambola, after Simplex Nthala.
It is double celebration for the former Silver Strikers goalkeeper whose side, HCB Songo, also won the Taca Mozambique (Mozambique Cup) after beating Simplex Nthala’s Maxaquene Maputo 3-1 last Saturday. They are also runners-up to league champions Ferroviario de Beira in the 2016 season.
Swini, in a telephone interview from Mozambique yesterday, sounded excited by the award.
“Last year, I missed the award by a whisker. The one who got the award last year conceded 15 goals while I conceded 16 goals. This year I have won the award after letting in 14 goals. The one second from me conceded 19 goals,” he said.
Swini’s team-mate and compatriot, Frank Banda, said Swini has been outstanding in the just ended season.
“He deserves the award,” he said.
Player manager James Pondamale, who facilitated Swini’s move to Costa do Sol in 2007 before he joined HCB Songo a season ago, congratulated Swini, saying it is not easy for a foreigner to win an accolade in the top-flight league.
Ironically, Swini was shunned by Flames technical panel for two years and he was only recalled by coach Ernest Mtawali late last year in the World Cup qualifier against Tanzania.
He will receive the award at the prize presentation ceremony for the 2016 season next month.
Nthala won the award in 2011/12 season.
Meanwhile, Chawanangwa Kawonga’s Chibuto FC are on third position while midfielder Ndaziona Chatsalira, winger John CJ Banda and Schumacher Kuwali’s side Ferroviario de Nampula, are on fifth position.
But Chimango Kayira’s Costa do Sol has finished on position 10 in the 16-member league. n
