Malawi Defence Force promotes Richard Mbulu to Sergeant
Outstanding Flames striker Richard Mbulu has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant from Corporal at the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) following his impressive performance with the Malawi National Football Team.
MDF acting spokesperson Major Emmanuel Mlelemba confirmed the development yesterday.
“Mbulu was exemplary and he contributed a lot to the Flames to qualify for Afcon finals. We, as MDF, believe in motivating our sports personalities and we are very happy with his performance” Mlelemba said.
Mbulu, who has worked in the army for seven years, confirmed from South Africa.
“I am very happy because it will give me more encouragement and hard-working spirit,” said the Baroka FC striker.
Mbulu scored the lone goal as the Flames beat Uganda’s Cranes 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre to book a place in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to be staged in Cameroon.
The Baroka FC marksman has netted five goals in the DStv Premiership this season.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Media Director Gomezgani Zakazaka hailed MDF for recognising the striker.
“It is a deserved recognition for him. It has been a trend for MDF to promote deserving athletes and this will be a motivation to other athletes in MDF,” he said.
In 2012, the Zambian Army also promoted the then Chipolopolo captain Christopher Katongo to Warrant Officer Class One for guiding the team to Afcon triumph.
Football consultant Kevin Moyo said the development would inspire MDF athletes to perform well.
“It is a great motivation to all national team players from MDF. Closer to home in Zambia, Katongo had a number of promotions via his national team performance,” he said.
Only Mbulu is a regular from MDF whereas Red Lions midfielder Chikoti Chirwa was on-and-off in the Afcon qualifiers.
Malawi qualified as Group B runners-up with 10 points from six matches, two points behind Burkina Faso, who finished as group winners.
The Flames will make a third appearance at Afcon finals, having first qualified in 1984 in Ivory Coast and in Angola, 2010.
