Malawi’s only residential football academy team, Ascent Soccer, is scheduled to leave the country on July 20 for Reykjavik, Iceland, to take part in the Rey Cup.
This will be the Lilongwe-based grassroots football development institution’s first competitive fixture on European soil.
The trip will see the academy becoming the first Malawian and the second African team to participate in the cup.
A 16-member Ascent team is expected to leave the country for the tournament which kicks off on July 26 and ends on July 30.
The five-day tournament will also attract developmental teams from big clubs such as Germany’s Bayern Munich and English sides Brighton and Hove Albion and Blackburn Rovers.
The academy’s founder George Maguire said the tournament is an opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their skills in Europe.
“This is an amazing opportunity for the boys to represent Ascent and Malawi at an international tournament and to test themselves against some of the world’s strongest clubs,” Maguire said.
Ascent Director Thom Mkolongo said his players were prepared for the trip.
“The players are incredibly excited to show the world what they can do. It is an opportunity they will live to cherish. We believe this competition will take their game to another level,” Mkolongo said.
During their stay in Iceland, the Ascent players will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves into the wonders of the European nation’s flora, fauna and landscape.
They will also engage with Iceland’s culture in deep and meaningful ways.
Winger Emmanuel Cheyo said he is looking forward to swimming in one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions called Blue Lagoon.
Also on the list of players set to make the trip is Malawi Under-17 National Football Team attacking midfielder Mwisho Mhango.
He said: “I am looking forward to seeing whales in the Atlantic Ocean and walking around Reykjavik [Iceland’s capital].”
Last year, Ascent players travelled to South Africa where they played against academy teams of Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Stellenbosch.
