The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has thanked Prophet Shepherd Bushiri for believing in the triumphant Scorchers, who won their maiden Cosafa title.
Malawi won all five games, including their final match, in which they beat neighbouring Zambia 2-1 to lift the trophy.
However, before departure for South Africa where the tournamnet was hosted, the team had financial constraints and almost withdrew but, Goshen Trust, a company owned by Bushiri, came in with monetary support.
Bushiri, through his company, presented a K60 million Malawian Kwacha sponsorship package to the FAM to support the growth of women’s football in the country.
In the sponsorship agreement, K29 million was set aside for the Scorchers’ trip to South Africa, while K10 million was to cater for allowances with the rest invested in the Women’s League.
The revelations were made at the gala dinner in Blantyre organized to welcome the Scorchers on Monday night.
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FAM president Walter Nyamilandu applauded Bushiri for supporting women’s football.
He said if it were not for him, the road to Cosafa could have been difficult.
“These girls deserve better than men. We do not want to miss any opportunity at all. This is a message that we need to fully support women’s football.
“I should thank Prophet Bushiri, who saw the potential before anyone else and funded our trip to South Africa,” said Nyamilandu.
Malawi’s Women’s Association president, Adelaide Migogo, also said if it were not for Bushiri, they could have given up on the tournament.
“Just after the South Africa game, nobody was behind us,” she revealed. “We faced a lot of problems but we persisted till the final day, when we beat Zambia in the final. People never trusted us apart from Prophet Bushiri.”
Malawi sports minister Uchizi Mkandawire announced that the country’s president Lazarus Chakwera will host the Scorchers tomorrow in the capital, Lilongwe.
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For winning the trophy, FAM announced that it will reward each player MK1 million Malawian Kwacha.
