Zomba-based football club, Red Lions, have declared their ambition to become only the second military side, after Kamuzu Barracks, to win the elite league title, as the club unveiled Stewards Financial Consultants Limited as sponsors of their Goal of the Month award.
Cobbe Barracks second-in-command of the 1st Malawi Rifles (1MR), Major Luis Msukwa, made the announcement on Friday during the signing ceremony, revealing that the new sponsor will inject MK400,000 into the award for the season.
Msukwa said the incentive is designed to sharpen competition among players and push the team toward silverware.
“The players want to perform well, they want to be in the top eight, but as a club we would like to win the league. Our target is to fight for the championship,” Msukwa said.
“We want to thank Stewards Financial Consultants for coming in and motivating our players.”
Speaking at the same ceremony, Stewards Financial Consultants Limited Managing Director Khumbo Billy Banda said the company hopes to see Red Lions qualify for the Airtel Top 8 Cup next season.
Banda explained that the decision to back the club followed close monitoring of Red Lions’ progress, from their days in the National Division League to their current standing in the FDH Bank Premiership.
“We are happy with the performance of the team in the league, and we think of supporting the players. We believe that this award will motivate the players and bring competition among the players,” Banda said.
“Red Lions are in the top 10, and this even motivated us to start sponsoring this team. We believe that they can perform and be in the top eight next season.”
Stewards Financial Consultants becomes the third company to partner with Red Lions this season.
The club already has backing from High Energy Electricity – sponsors of the Player of the Month award, Uncle Kefas Agro Dealer – providing drinking water for the team throughout the season.
Red Lions currently sit 6th on the log table with 15 points from nine matches, having won four, drawn three, and lost two games so far this season.
