Wa Ganyu

The Airtel Top 8 final match between Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday attracted a capacity crowd that included coach Ernst Middendorp from South Africa.

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach, who is now technical director at Durban City FC formally known as Maritzburg United, was in Malawi in honor of an invitation from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets management.

“We invited him to scout some of our players,” said Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga.

The initial plan was that he should visit together with his coach Gavin Hunt, who failed to make the trip due to other engagements, Wa Ganyu can reveal.

The Germany football coach arrived 30 minutes before kick off and sat in the Corporate Box number 11 together with Bullets officials.

A football professional with 31 years of experience took some notes as he watched the match with special attention on some talents. He was impressed with a number of players for individual brilliance but not teamwork.

Wa Ganyu heard him commenting about five players who he listed on his notepad. We heard him comment: “The tall keeper, jersey 21, that winger [while pointing], the boy who scored first and jersey number 19.”

These are Silver Strikers keeper George Chikooka, Bullets quartet of defender Andrew Jovinala, attacker Chikumbutso Salima and forwards Maxwell Phodo and Wongani Lungu.

He said the five players had a good game and he had taken notes, indicating that he will recommend their names to his officials for a possible move.

Chigoga said the plan was to give players a chance to play professional football.