After a lengthy off-season, the new campaign of the FCB U-19 Youth Football League is scheduled to get underway this coming weekend as confirmed by the Blantyre District Youth Football Committee.
With just a few days to go before the league resumes on 17 June, head coach for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Youth team, Autry Kalulu, shared his preview of the new season and his reaction to his side being drawn in Group A of the competition.
Together with the three-time winners of the youth league, Griffin Young Stars, our young lads were drawn into an eight-team group that will compete for the knockout stages and will start the campaign against Nyambadwe United at a venue to be communicated.
Sharing his reaction to the draw, Kalulu believes there will be stiff competition while he expressed the preparedness of his side ahead of the new campaign.
“I can’t point at a weaker team in this year’s league campaign, especially in our group I expect a tough ride,” he told club media.
“We will be facing strong sides [that] we avoided last season during the group stages. Teams like Soche Madrid and Manchester Motors present a big challenge,” he added. “But with a strong assurance, I would say that we are very much ready.”
Off the back of winning the African Herbal Mixture Cup last month following a 1-0 victory against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Youth in the final at the Kamuzu Stadium, the young Bullets will likely be inspired in their latest hunt for their first league title.
“I think it will be an advantage for us to start the league a month after winning the African Herbal Mixture Cup. Some other teams will be scared because of how we performed but on the other side, things will be difficult as teams will come hard on us. Nonetheless, there is no worry from us.”
Going into the new season, Kalulu will rely much on the likes of Matamando Mwatchipisa, Kondwani Tebulo, Blessings Kanowa and a horde of other bright youngsters who made waves during the African Herbal Mixture Cup successful campaign.
Last year our youth side finished in third position following their 4-0 smashing over Aphalsoft Academy in their final match of the season.
Below is the full list of teams drawn together with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Youth in Group A:
Soche Madrid, Nyambadwe United, Assima FC, Manchester Motors, Griffin Young Stars, CC Stars and Yizo-Yizo Warriors.
