There is enough talent within Malawian football to suggest that a local player will someday go on to grace the most prominent of footballing stages in the English Premier League.
For now, tales of near misses are intended to serve as inspiration for those looking making it one step further than compatriots who went before them.
As things stand, it is the story of Tamika Mkandawire that proves no dream is too big and that hard work will always be rewarded.
Adventure
Mkandwire was born in Mzuzu, but saw an unlikely sporting adventure open up in front of him after moving to England. He would go on to take in 350 appearances within the English Football League ranks – representing the likes of Leyton Orient, Millwall, Southend and Shrewsbury along the way.
He will be keeping a close eye on how his former clubs are getting on, with the Lions of Millwall still clinging to a Premier League promotion dream. They are priced at 15/2 in Championship odds for 2023-24 that focus on the intriguing battle to secure tickets out of the second tier and into the first.
Mkandwire has trodden that path himself, with two seasons spent at The Den as a Championship performer. Prior to that, he had showcased his talents in the National League, as well as Leagues One and Two – where he would end up heading again after leaving south London.
It was, however, at the very start of his professional career that he came within touching distance of making it big in the Premier League.
After being taken on by West Brom, with uncompromising coach Gary Megson calling the shots at that time, enough potential had been spotted in his game to suggest that he may well be capable of rubbing shoulders with English football’s elite.
The Baggies were a Premier League outfit in 2002-23, and secured promotion back to the Promised Land in 2004, but Mkandwire never made it as far as taking in a competitive appearance.
That still irks him to this day, with the former midfielder – who could also operate in defence – having said: “I was frustrated at not getting a chance at West Brom, but it was one of the best times, and the friends I’m still close with now are the Albion boys. I was given such an education at the club, they taught me my core values, but when I look back, getting into the game late helped me in terms of my drive.”
Elusive
Mkandwire remains involved in sport, as he now works as a performance trainer and strength coach with American athletes looking to make the grade in NFL, NBA and MLB circles. His career has taken him a long way from home – from southeastern Africa to the United States – with anything possible when you put your mind to it.
He may never have got an elusive Premier League appearance under his belt, but he got as close as anybody from Malawi and would like nothing better than to see a star of tomorrow shine brighter than he ever could.