…set to join Hannover 96 after tournament…
Malawi’s young football star, Mwisho Mhango, scored a brace that guided Malawi’s Under-20 team to a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their opening Group A match at the COSAFA U20 Men’s Championship. The 18-year-old midfielder/winger from Ascent Academy and the Malawi Under-20 National Team is expected to travel to Germany after the COSAFA Region 5 games tournament in Namibia as he is set to join Hannover 96.
Mhango scored the first goal on the 24th minute ,Zimbabwe equalized in the 57th minute through Tadiwa Chamuchichi, but Mhango restored Malawi’s lead in the 72nd minute. The Junior Flames held firm to secure all three points, with Mhango being named Player of the Match.
This win puts Malawi at the top of Group A with three points. The Junior Flames will next face hosts Namibia on Sunday before concluding their group stage campaign against Angola on Tuesday. The top two teams in the group will advance to the semi-finals.
Mhango’s move to Hannover 96 is a significant milestone for Malawian football. “I have signed with Hannover 96 and I will be traveling to Germany after these Cosafa Region games,” Mhango confirmed after scoring a brace in the Malawi Under-20’s opening match against Zimbabwe. “I will become the first player to play in Germany Bundesliga. This is a great story not only for me but Malawi as a country, this can be a window of opportunity,” he added.
Mhango’s talent has been evident for years, having been called up to the Malawi U17 team at just 14 and named to the Tournament XI at the COSAFA Championship. He has also played a key role in the Malawi U20s’ victory at the 4 Nations Tournament in March 2024.
Ascent Soccer Academy, Malawi’s only full-time residential football academy program since 2018, has a strong track record of developing talent. Mhango’s move to Hannover 96 comes after a successful period of training and trials with several European clubs, including Iceland’s Breidablik Football Club and Austrian Bundesliga champions SK Sturm Graz.
The academy has produced many talented players, including Washari Jaziya, who recently signed with Japanese club Nankatsu SC, and Precious Kapunda and Levison Munyenyembe, who also had a stint at UMF Afturelding in Iceland’s second tier.
Rose Kadzere, a graduate of Ascent Soccer, became the first Malawian to transfer directly to a top-five European league, joining Montpellier HSC in France’s top league. Faith chizimu has also been on trials with Scandinavian clubs like FC Nordsjælland and Hacken.
The rise of these young talents is a testament to the good work being done by Ascent Soccer Academy. The academy’s track record of developing talent is impressive, and it’s clear that they are making a significant impact on Malawian football. If this trend continues, it’s likely that more Malawian youngsters will get opportunities to play abroad and inspire others.
Compiled by Hope mwandenga
