Business came to a standstill in Blantyre on Saturday when Southern Region Football Association Fam Moto Division One champions Ekhaya United FC paraded their trophy through the commercial city’s streets.
The parade started in Kanjedza Township and ended at Ekhaya head office in Makata Industrial Area through Masauko Chipembere Highway and Victoria Avenue, among other places.
Scores of players, supporters and officials danced and chanted throughout the parade and made the first stopover at Ekhaya shop near Malawi University of Business and Applied Studies before proceeding to another Ekhaya shop along Victoria Avenue.
Ekhaya United FC Chairperson Mphatso Mpinganjira said they needed to celebrate with Blantyre residents following their lifting of the title just 10 months after formation of the club.
“We are a team that is dreaming big. We are now in the Premier Division and we will work hard to achieve our goal of earning promotion to the Super League. So the parade was meant to announce our arrival on the country’s football stage. We are the new kid on the block.
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“We will take the Premier Division by storm as we campaign for Super League promotion. Our ultimate goal is to represent Malawi in continental competitions. There is a lot of potential in our team and we do not doubt that our boys will rise to the occasion,” Mpinganjira said.
Ekhaya Coach Jimmy Zakazaka said he has been grooming his players from a tender age.
“I have been with these players from the time they were very young. What pleases me most is that they are always very willing to learn. They are not allowing success to get to their heads. So we are geared towards registering more success in the Premier Division this season,” Zakazaka said.
Ekhaya, which was formed in March last year, lifted the championship after edging Superfert 1-0 in a final played at Balaka Stadium on January 7.
