Death can be cruel; it often robs people of their loved ones usually at a time they are needed most.
On 17 September this year, our under-16 football team was robbed of a man the kids had gotten used to and took him as a father, coach George Wemba Zulu.
At that time, the kids had just started participating in the Under-16 Lilongwe District Youth Football Committee Mmera Mpoyamba League for the first time after playing in the under-14 league where they were crowned champions last year under the guidance of Wemba Zulu.
As such, losing him was a big blow to the kids.However, weeks down the line the kids seem to have recovered from Wemba’s untimely death and have since vowed to go ahead and win the championship in his honour.
Currently the kids sit second on the nine-team log table with 18 points from eight games having won six, lost twice and drawn none.They have scored 17 goals and conceded 10 at the close of the first round of their zone.
In an interview, the team’s head coach Emmanuel Zoya said they have vowed to win the championship in their maiden season to honour the spirit of Coach Zulu.
“Losing coach Wemba was not easy. The kids were devastated but as time goes the kids are recovering and adapting to life after Zulu. We all miss him as he was like a father to all of us. Personally I learnt a lot working under him,” said the former Bullets and Civo left back.
On the team’s performance, Zoya said he is impressed with what the lads have achieved since they started participating in the under-16 league.“I’m impressed with what the kids have achieved so far. Mind you, these are kids we have just promoted from the under 14 team that won the championship last season, of course, with a few additions here and there. I’m optimistic we will challenge for the championship in the second round. Our goal is not to lose a game,” Zoya said.
Grassroots Academy currently lead the log table with 19 points from eight games having won six, and drawn and lost once apiece.
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