Ascent in Gothia Cup good start

Malawi's Ascent Soccer Academy made a dream start at the 2026 Gothia Cup in Sweden. The under-14 boys team thrashed Utbynas SK from Sweden 5-0 in their second match Tuesday. In their first match, Ascent were held to a goalless stalemate by FH 1 from Iceland. Ascent Boys are third in Group 10 with four points from two matches, two points behind leaders Vasteras SK Ungdom 2. The team is level on points with second-placed FH 1 whereas Utbynas and HSV Football 2 are fourth and fifth without a point from two matches. Similarly, the girls u-16 started the competition with a 1-1 stalemate against a team from Sweden. Ascent girls were in action for their second match as we went to press Tuesday. Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo said he was impressed with the perfect start to the competition for both teams. "It is a good start for the boys and girls. The level of competition is very good and, so, we are satisfied with the performance of the teams," Mkolongo said. Mkolongo said the tournament had provided exposure to young players. "We are playing against some of the best teams in the world. We are excited that we gave the players international exposure," he said. This is the first time Ascent are taking part in the Gothia Cup in Sweden. The tournament has attracted over 1,900 teams from 78 countries across the world. Both Ascent Boys and Girls are expected to participate in the Rey Cup in Iceland later this month. Last week, Ascent landed a landmark sponsorship deal worth K900 million from Nico Group for a period of three years. Nico will provide K100 million to Ascent for its grassroots soccer projects annually. Since 2014, Ascent has produced several stars namely Faith Chimzimu, Rose Kabzere, Mwisho Mhango, Leticia Chinyamula, Lameck Mithi, Hermas Masinja and Levison Munyenyembe.

Times Malawi Times Malawi · Wire Report · 2 hours ago · 2 min read

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WIRE — Malawi's Ascent Soccer Academy made a dream start at the 2026 Gothia Cup in Sweden. The under-14 boys team thrashed Utbynas SK from Sweden 5-0 in their second match Tuesday. In their first match, Ascent were held to a goalless stalemate by FH 1 from Iceland. Ascent Boys are third in Group 10 with four points from two matches, two points behind leaders Vasteras SK Ungdom 2. The team is level on points with second-placed FH 1 whereas Utbynas and HSV Football 2 are fourth and fifth without a point from two matches. Similarly, the girls u-16 started the competition with a 1-1 stalemate against a team from Sweden. Ascent girls were in action for their second match as we went to press Tuesday. Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo said he was impressed with the perfect start to the competition for both teams. "It is a good start for the boys and girls. The level of competition is very good and, so, we are satisfied with the performance of the teams," Mkolongo said. Mkolongo said the tournament had provided exposure to young players. "We are playing against some of the best teams in the world. We are excited that we gave the players international exposure," he said. This is the first time Ascent are taking part in the Gothia Cup in Sweden. The tournament has attracted over 1,900 teams from 78 countries across the world. Both Ascent Boys and Girls are expected to participate in the Rey Cup in Iceland later this month. Last week, Ascent landed a landmark sponsorship deal worth K900 million from Nico Group for a period of three years. Nico will provide K100 million to Ascent for its grassroots soccer projects annually. Since 2014, Ascent has produced several stars namely Faith Chimzimu, Rose Kabzere, Mwisho Mhango, Leticia Chinyamula, Lameck Mithi, Hermas Masinja and Levison Munyenyembe.

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