Blantyre, Malawi — "Local is lekker" for Umtata Bush Bucks midfielder John Maduka.

The Malawi born soccer pro and captain of that country's national team the Flames has officially turned South African.

Maduka says he regards South Africa as his second home and recently acquired his citizenship as part of a long-term personal plan.

"I applied for the citizenship a few months ago, he said. "It's now out that I'm no longer registered as a foreigner with the Bush Bucks but as a local."

"I have been in this country for quite sometime and have several personal businesses that need me to be a citizen to run them properly," he added.

Maduka also said that his son had started school in South Africa and that he didn't want to disrupt his education.

"I have his future to consider," he said.

Maduka hasn't played a single game for the Bush Bucks this season because he was waiting for his citizenship to be approved.

"I would have played for the club last weekend but had to return to Malawi for the Cosafa Castle Cup final," he said.

The midfielder is determined to keep a foot in both fields and says he will continue playing for the Malawi Flames because the federation of international football associations (Fifa) still recognises him as a Malawian.

"There's nothing strange about my move," he says. "Many national team players hold citizenships in countries other than their own and continue to play for their home country."

Maduka's Zimbabwean born twin brothers, William and Wilfred Mugeyi also applied for local citizenship. The brothers also play for Umtata Bush Bucks. - African Eye News Service