Mangochi Police goalkeeper wins Carlsberg Cup discovery award

Mangochi Police goalkeeper George Chauya has been named as this year’s Carlsberg Cup discovery of the tournament, becoming the fourth goalkeeper in a row to win the award.

Chauya beat Nyasa Big Bullets striker Collen Nkhulambe who recently joined from Mzuzu United and Prison United goalkeeper Moses Luwindi John to win the award after displaying an excellent performance during the competition.

The Mangochi United goalkeeper was voted in by members of Sports Writers Association of Malawi (SWAM) with 65 percent of the votes whereas Nkhulambe came second with 15 percent of the votes and John came third with 3 percent of the votes.

Chauya was instrumental to Mangochi Police’s excellent run when he helped them reach semifinals in the 2016 Carlsberg Cup.

The goalkeeper kept six clean sheets for the club and he saved crucial penalties to lead his team to three penalty shootout victories over MDF Marine in the second round of the preliminaries, Chikwawa United in the round of 32, and Wizards FC in the quarterfinals.

The Mangochi police goaltender also produced a brilliant performance in the semifinals against Be Forward Wanderers, preventing the Nomads from scoring in the first half before he was substituted at half time after he had collided with Peter Wadabwa.

Chauya told one of the Malawi media houses that he is very happy to win such an award and added that he is looking forward to play in the Super League next season.

“I am very happy to win this award. There were a lot of young players who did well and for me to get the recognition is a big honour.

“This is just the beginning I look forward to play in the Super League next season,” he said.

Chauya walked away with K200,000 prize money and a trophy courtesy of Carlsberg Malawi.

The three previous winners of the award are Moyale Barracks goalkeeper Juma Chikwenga (2015) Francis Mwambo of Zomba United (2014) and the inaugural winner Kamuzu Barracks stopper Lemani Nthala (2013).

In other individual awards, Daniel Dzinkambani of Ginnery Corner and Lawson Chilewe of Prison United got K100,000 each after they finished as joint top scorers with 5 goals apiece.

Carlsberg Cup discovery winners

1. Chauya – Mangochi Police
2. Collen Nkhulambe – Mzuzu United/ Nyasa Big Bullets
3.  Moses Luwindi John