Mzuzu based side MK academy have been crowned champions of the 2022 Northern Region First Capital Bank under 20.
Mk academy defeated Mighty Rumphi Wanderers 4-2 on penalties after the game ended in a barren draw in regulation time at Mzuzu Stadium.
After the match, coach for Mighty Rumphi Wanderers Komani Ng’ona blamed fatigue on his boys as one of the reasons they have failed to clinch the title.
“We played a game against Chicago FC of which we won and we were just given 30 minutes to relax and get back into the field to play the finals and my boys didn’t even have time to eat,” he said.
His counterpart, Khumbo Sibale praised his boys for the fight to clinch the title but also blamed the setup of the tournament as they played many games in a few days.
“I thank my boys for the fight because we have played a lot of games within a small period of time but we have managed to play flat out And win the cup but I would like to ask the organisers to revise the format as these are kids and they need a lot of time to rest and recover before playing another match,” he lamented.
Representing the National Youth Football Association Vice general secretary Wasauka Nyirenda thanked the northern region committee for the wonderful tournament and he assured the teams that FCB has committed to continue with the sponsorship.
“I would like to thank the Northern Regional Youth Football Association for a job well done in executing a successful competition and I would also like to assure the teams that FCB is committed to continue sponsoring the league next year,” he said.
The regional body Vice chairman Maneno Mwambinga added that he is happy that they have had a successful tournament.
He further said that they expect their representative to do well at the national tournament.
On their part, the sponsors of the tournament represented by Retail Development Executive Peter Mumbuwa said they are happy that they are part of the development of sports in the land.
“We are able to help develop players who are playing in the Super League and also nationals teams which makes us happy that our effort is not going in vain” he concluded.
As it is, MK academy will represent Northern Region at the 2022 FCB under 20 national championship to be held from 3 December at Kasungu Stadium in Kasungu District.
