Top Super League clubs have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Malawi Under-20 National Team starlet, Peter Banda, after being told that the youngster will not be sold.
Banda plays for FMB Under-20 League Blantyre side, Griffin Young Stars.
The son to former Nyasa Big Bullets and Flames midfielder, the late Chikondi Banda, has been a sensation after breaking into Malawi under-17 and under-20 squads.
He rose to fame when he inspired the under-17 team to a bronze medal at the Cosafa Under-17 Championship in Mauritius last year.
Although he was drafted into the under-20 team during the Cosafa Youth Championship, Banda was ruled out due to an injury.
Since then, Banda has attracted interest from local giants such as Nyasa Big Bullets, Azam Tigers and Silver Strikers.
Orlando Pirates of South Africa have also been tracking the youngster.
His grandfather, Griffin Saenda, who is well known in netball circles, said ,as a family, they decided that Banda should still play in the FMB League.
“I know how Malawian teams operate. He will go there and they will start misusing him. In the end, he will burn out and in the long run dip in form,” Saenda said.
“We want him to continue playing in the junior league and develop this season.”
Saenda said the family will only consider international offers for Banda to play for developmental teams.
“We will release him if we get international offers from academies of good teams. His talent is raw but it needs to be nurtured. We should not rush him into the Super League,” he said.
The development comes after Be Forward Wanderers signed two Malawi Under-17 players, Francesco Madinga and Precious Sambani.
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