Civil Service United focus on youth brigade

Civil Service United have changed their player transfer policy by focusing on youngsters instead of the old guard.

Civil Coach Oscar Kaunda said this following the arrival of two youngsters Lovemore Mbeta and Frank Chizuze, saying it was an indication that the club was moving in the right direction.

“The policy of Civil is to scout young talent and nurture them. We believe in giving youngsters an opportunity to showcase their skills,” Kaunda said.

The capital city giants have in recent times been turned into a dumping site of rejects from some Super League clubs.

However, the club has embarked on a rebuilding exercise focusing much on the youth brigade.

Civil on Monday announced the signing of Mbeta from Ascent Academy on a season-long loan deal.

Mbeta, who is also Malawi Under-23 National Football Team striker, becomes the second player to join the club in the ongoing transfer window after the club signed attacking midfielder Frank Chizuze.

Mbeta is one of the highly rated youngsters in domestic football, having attended trials at Spanish fourth-tier side Velez FC, Super Sport and Stellenbosch in South Africa.

On the part of Chizuze, he was playing for relegated TN Stars last season on loan from Silver Strikers.

This could be a good platform for the youngsters to develop their football careers.

Civil General Secretary Ronald Chiwaula said the club was concentrating on youngsters.

“Since inception, Civil focuses on football development. If you remember last year, we offloaded some senior players,’’ he said.

Previously, Civil were known for producing good players. However, desperation for immediate results and lack of proper policy implementation led the club to focus on veterans in recent years.

Civil have produced several good players including Andrew Chikhosi, Joseph Kamwendo, Joseph Kachule, Frank Banda, late Chikondi Banda, Robin Ngalande, John Lanjesi and Chawanangwa Kaonga, among others.