Ascent scores big for Malawi at U20 Challenge Cup

Ascent Soccer scored eight of Malawi's 11 goals at the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) U20 Challenge Cup, with the men reaching the tournament final for the first time in over 20 years.

Ascent sent seven players with Malawi's men's and women's squads, for this annual U20 regional tournament event.

Mwisho Mhango (17) led the men's side with five goals, including a brace in Malawi's 2-1 semifinal win over Zambia. For his performance, Mwisho (pictured) earned the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament honours, with Ascent forward Lameck Mithi (17) adding a goal and three assists. Yusuf Nantunga (16) and Lackson Wahita (18) also hit the pitch for 'The Flames' who went 3-1-1 at event.

The women managed a draw in the round robin, but were unable to sneak past the group stage. Fifteen-year-old Ascent Soccer midfielder Victoria Mkwala paced Malawi with a pair of goals, less than a month after making her debut with the Senior National Team. Vicki was joined at the U20 tournament by Ascent teammates Talandira Chinyamvula and Fatima Lali, both 16.

"We're thrilled to see this next generation of talent giving back to Malawi, and making an impact at the international level," shared Ascent Soccer co-founder George Maguire. "Mwisho and Vicki are setting the standard and showing all of our academy student-athletes what's possible."

For 10 years, Ascent Soccer has been setting the standard for residential academy football and education in Malawi. With 40+ players representing youth and senior national teams, 10 global scholars in the US and Canada, and home to Malawi's first direct transfer to a top five European club (Rose Kadzere to France's Montpellier) — Ascent Soccer is transforming opportunity through Five Pillars: Soccer, Scholarship, Girls, Green & Grassroots.