Ascent Soccer youngsters Mwisho Mhango and Hermas Masinja on Monday started training placements and trials with Austrian Bundesliga champions SK Sturm Graz.
This follows their completion of a two-week training placement with Iceland’s Breidablik Football Club.
Ascent co-founder George Maguire said the pair continues to attract attention from some of Europe’s top clubs following their impressive performances.
“The feedback on Mwisho and Hermas during their time in Iceland was very positive and Breidablik have already expressed their interest in having them back again later this year.
“This trial in Austria with Sturm Graz is another big chance for the boys at a Champions League club, and the kind of challenge they need to grow as players and truly learn what it takes to earn their way into international professional football,” Maguire said.
He added that alongside their daily training and conditioning programme at Sturm Graz, the two players will have an opportunity to participate in a trio of pre-season friendlies.
“Fullback and midfielder Masinja and midfielder and winger Mhango have had no trouble keeping up with the speed of play and have shown that they have the tools to earn a long-term professional opportunity in Europe,” Maguire said.
Mhango and Masinja helped Malawi Under-20 win the Four Nations Tournament, securing victories over Zimbabwe and Kenya at Silver Stadium in March this year.
The two players have also been mainstays in the Malawi U-17 national football team.
Mhango earned his first call-up to the U-17 team at the age of 14 and was named in the tournament’s best XI squad at the recent Cosafa Championship, contributing one goal and three assists.
Since 2018, Ascent, Malawi’s only fully residential football academy, has produced over 30 youth and senior players.
Seven graduates are currently playing in the TNM Super League, while eight others are on athletic scholarships in the United States and Canada.
Sturm Graz will participate in this year’s Uefa Champions League after narrowly defeating Red Bull Salzburg to win the Austrian Bundesliga.
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