Malawian starlet Festus Duwe is set to undergo trials with SuperSport United and Stellenbosch.
The 16-year-old has remained behind in South Africa for the trials at the end of his Lilongwe-based Ascent Academy’s tour of Johannesburg.
The academy says Dube will attend a training placement at SuperSport followed by trials at Stellenbosch.
Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo told FARPost that he was not surprised that Duwe had swayed the top-flight teams in South Africa.
“He is a very good defensive midfielder who has risen through the ranks. He represented Malawi at the under-17 level and the Under-23 which went to Turkey for a tournament recently,” Mkolongo said.
GEM OF MIDFIELDER
The coach described Duwe as a modern type of a holding midfielder capable of winning and playing the ball.
“His play is very different to most defending midfielders in our TNM Super League. He wins the balls and when he has the ball, he thinks of passing and breaking the lines,” Mkolongo added.
The Ascent Academy defensive midfielder attracted the attention of the DStv Premiership sides following his eye-catching displays last week.
The holding midfielder represented the Lilongwe-based academy side at a youth tournament held in Johannesburg.
SCORED A STUNNER
Duwe thrilled at the tournament and scored the Goal of the Tournament in Ascent’s final game of the tour against Randburg FC.
Ascent beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0, drew two-all with SuperSport, 1-1 with Highlands Park and beat Randburg 4-2.
Ascent arrived in South Africa last week with a 15-member squad in what is their first international outing.
The club have since said the tour of South Africa was meant to give the players international football experience.
CLUB STATEMENT
“For many players making the trip, the tour represents their first trip abroad and a chance to experience a new culture, build life skills, and challenge themselves against top players,” reads a statement from the club.
Ascent won the Best Executed Development Programme award during Malawi Sport Award gala held in Lilongwe last Friday.
Ascent Co-Director George Maguire was also named the best Non-Citizen of the Year sports personality for the second time.
The award is given to non-Malawians who have contributed to sports development in the country.
Malawi National Council of Sports hosts the annual awards which are recognized by the government.
Ascent has produced players such as Chris Gototo who is on the books of Malawi top-flight league side Blue Eagles and Sunganani Geoffrey for Sable Farming FC.
The Lilongwe academy has also exported talent such as Edna Macuacua and Geoffrey Ogenrwot.
