Malawian internationals—goalkeeper Charles Swini and midfielder Frank Banda’s team UD Songo—have won the Mozambican top-flight Mocambola League with two games to spare.
Songo sealed the title with a 5-0 demolition of TextAfrica on Sunday at November 27 Stadium where Banda put the icing on the cake by rounding up the score.
They have 62 points, 10 clear of second-placed Costa do Sol who have three games to wind up the season. However, even if Costa win the remaining games, their haul of 61 points will not be enough.
It is the first time that the club has won the Mozambican flagship league title and Banda could not hide his excitement in an interview yesterday.
“We are excited to be part of this historic feat in a foreign land and I thank God for his blessings.
“The manner through which we have done it—with two games to go— is also amazing.
“To me personally, it is an achievement that I will never forget and I am sure that even my children, the likes of David, will appreciate this feat when they grow up,” said Banda, who also scored a vital winning goal against second-placed Costa do Sol the previous weekend.
Songo coach Chiquinho Conde—a former Mozambican international—said both Banda and Swini have contributed immensely to the club’s success.
Speaking through an interpreter, Conde said: “Both Swini and Frank are doing very well here. Swini is by far the best goalkeeper and Frank has been consistent. The good thing is that he also scores regularly.”
The Mocambola League prize money is sponsored by Standard Bank to the tune of $750 000 (about K551.5 million), but Banda said he was not sure how much they will get as a team.
The last Malawian player to win the Mozambican top-flight league was Zicco Mkanda with Liga Desportivo in 2014. He had earlier wot it in 2013 alongside Joseph Kamwendo.
Other Malawian players plying their trade in the top Mozambican league include Richard Mbulu, John Banda, Schumacher Kuwali, Ndaziona Chatsalira, Idrissa Walesi, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Moses Chavula, Simplex Nthala, Jimmy Ukonde and Lazarus Chirwa. n
