Zomba soccer academy hires Zoya
Zomba-based Lusolawo Stars soccer academy have hired former national team and Big Bullets left-back Emmanuel Zoya as technical director.
He is expected to join the academy once government lifts the ban on gathering of over 100 people as a precautionary measure to the novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
Both the academy management and Zoya confirmed the deal in interviews yesterday.
Owner of the academy, Abdul Majid Makapu, said he was impressed with Zoya’s work at Emmanuel Football Club in Likuni, Lilongwe.
He said: “Zoya has proved to be a good coach too. I watched his team Emmanuel FC. He is good at handling players. We think he will be very valuable to us.
“We have big plans to play in the Southern Region Football League Division One. Currently, we are in Division Two. We think Zoya is the right person to do the job.”
He said if it was not for the Covid-19 pandemic he would have started.
Said Makapu: “We are based in Zomba rural and there are talented young stars there. We want to nurture this talent. Our goal is to groom them to play in professional leagues. Currently, we have 30 players who are also school children.”
On his part, Zoya said he was happy with the deal.
He said: “God is good. I promise to help management of the academy realise their vision. We are currently drawing up a contract and hope to finalise soon.
“It’s also an opportunity for me to develop as a coach. I have a lot of experience which will help the up-and-coming generation, “
Zoya, who holds a CAF D coaching licence, was released at Nyasa Big Bullets last season after three seasons.
He joined Bullets from Civo United where he played for six seasons.
Zoya has been on-and-off national football team player since 2012.
