Category: Football

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has called on football fans to buy tickets early and turn up in large numbers to support the Flames in their crucial CHAN playoff second-leg clash against Comoros on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Bingu National Stadium.

FAM Marketing and Broadcasting Manager, Tulipo Mwenelupembe, emphasized the importance of a strong home crowd in pushing the national team to victory as they look to secure qualification for the next round. Malawi holds a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and needs a positive result to advance.

“We won the first leg 2-0, and now we have another crucial encounter this weekend to determine which team qualifies for the second round of the CHAN playoffs,” said Mwenelupembe. “As FAM, we are hopeful that our team will progress and face the winners between Egypt and South Africa, eventually securing a place in the finals set to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.”

Tickets on sale across Malawi

To ensure maximum attendance and unwavering support for the Flames, FAM has made tickets available for purchase in all three major cities—Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Standard Tickets – MK6,000 (pre-sale), MK8,000 (matchday)
VIP Tickets – MK25,000 (pre-sale), MK30,000 (matchday)
Corporate Box Tickets – MK35,000
Car Pass – MK500

Mwenelupembe encouraged fans to buy their tickets early to avoid last-minute inconveniences. He also expressed gratitude to supporters who attended last Sunday’s first-leg match, praising the atmosphere they created at the stadium.

“There was a whole different vibe at the stadium, and it showed how much Malawians love the Flames. The fans were eager to see the team play, and their support made a huge difference,” he noted.

With the Flames on the verge of progressing to the next round, FAM is hopeful that even more fans will fill the stadium this weekend to cheer the team to victory.

Malawi’s new head coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, had a dream start to his tenure, leading the Flames to a dominant 2-0 victory in the first leg. Goals from Binwell Katinji and Zebron Kalima ensured Malawi took control of the tie heading into the second leg. FAM believes that with strong fan support, the team can finish the job in style.

Tickets are available now in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu. Fans are encouraged to buy early and turn up in numbers to rally behind the national team.

The Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) has announced that its 2025 season will kick off on the 19th of April 2025 and run until December.

SRFA chairperson Dyless Kachala announced this on Monday during a strategic planning meeting for the 2025 season with key stakeholders, including teams and match officials.

Speaking during the meeting on Monday in Blantyre, Kachala also revealed that teams are supposed to pay K650,000 registration fee.
Additionally, stakeholders have also agreed to revert to the previous league format of double round robin.

“We have agreed that our league will start on 19th April until December. We have told teams that registration is K650,000, which they have also agreed.

“Adding to that, we have also agreed that we will have 16 teams in Premier Division and Division One, respectively. On the format, we have decided to revert to the old format where each of the 16 teams plays each of the other 15 teams home and away,” said Kachala.

Since COVID-19, teams were drawn into groups. The top four teams went through to the final round to produce the champions.

On behalf of all teams, Mwanza Stars Official, Andrew Magombo described the meeting as fruitful, saying all their questions have been answered convincingly.

Binwell Katinji and Zebron Kalima each found the back of the net as Malawi claimed a vital 2-0 victory over Comoros in the first leg of their African Championship playoff at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday. The match marked a successful debut for head coach Kalisto Pasuwa since appointed on a permanent basis.

Despite playing away from home, Comoros started brightly, registering two early attempts within the opening five minutes. However, Malawi soon took control, dominating possession and creating chances.

The Flames had opportunities from set pieces but failed to capitalize on three consecutive corners. Defender Maxwell Paipi marshaled the backline well, forcing Comoros into long-range efforts. Meanwhile, Lloyd Aaron and Wisdom Mpinganjira provided width in attack, stretching the visitors’ defense.

In the 24th minute, Nixon Mwase released Mpinganjira and Ephraim Kondowe into a two-on-two situation, but Mpinganjira’s shot struck the lower left post, letting Comoros off the hook.

The pressure finally paid off just before halftime. Gaddie Chirwa combined with full-back MacDonald Lameck, who delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Katinji rose highest and powered a header off the left post and in, giving Malawi a 1-0 lead at the break.

Comoros began the second half aggressively, searching for an equalizer. However, Malawi’s defense remained resolute. The visitors resorted to long balls, but Lameck and his defensive partners dealt with the threat effectively.

Pasuwa introduced fresh legs, bringing on Kalima for Kondowe, while Comoros responded with a double substitution, introducing Souleman Mohamed and Fadhula Botomanga.

Comoros came close to equalizing when Sadad sprinted past Lameck and delivered a dangerous cross. Botomanga had a golden chance but fired wide, letting Malawi off the hook.

Sensing a need for control, Pasuwa made further tactical changes, with Timothy Silwimba replacing Lloyd Banega and Emmanuel Saviel coming on for Katinji.

Malawi sealed the win in the 90th minute. Lameck’s initial shot was fumbled by Comoros’ goalkeeper, and Kalima reacted quickest, smashing the rebound into the roof of the net to secure a 2-0 triumph.

With this crucial victory, Malawi takes a significant advantage into the second leg, set for Saturday, March 8, 2025. The winner of the two-legged tie will face either South Africa or Egypt in the next round.

The Malawi Mens National Football team has taken advantage in their quest to qualify for the 2026 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) as they beat Comoros 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Binwell Katinji headed home a well curved cross from Macdonald Lameck in the 44th minute to put the visitors ahead at the recess.

The Flames were 2-0 up in the first minute of the stoppage time, thanks to Zebron Kalima’s fine finish inside the penalty box, to seal first victory in the competition for the Kalisto Pasuwa’s side.

After the match, Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa hailed his boys for the response that helped the team to secure the victory.

“The response is the result that we got, you know these are two legged matches that you need results, so iam happy with it” he said.

Despite the victory, Pusuwa pointed match fitness and condition of the pitch as the negatives observed from the game.

“We are at off-season, playing against opponents whose league is in progress wasn’t easy. And again the grass was a bit tall for the boys to run into it hence we saw them dropping the intensity in the second half”.

Meanwhile, Pasuwa admitted that he needs time to build a strong team.

“Remember when you’re building a team mostly you need to see improvements in whatever you do and we can say we are on step one, we are moving up”.

In today’s match, Comoros used Bingu National Stadium as their home ground following the ban of their stadiums to host FIFA/CAF recognized matches.

The Flames will be hosts in the return fixture slated for next Saturday, at the same venue, Bingu National Stadium.

Government has allocated K2 billion for the resumption of the construction of two stadium projects, for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.

Minister of Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, revealed this in parliament, responding to an outburst Mzimba North MP, Yeremia Chihana, that since 2020 there’s no progress on the projects.

Mkandawire said the projects are set to resume after stalling for a period due to lack of funds.

“Remember these projects were just announced on a rally that government is going to construct those projects, so there were no procedures, no feasibility studies took place at the beginning”

“The contractors started using their own resources, but they later withdrew due to government’s failure to provide funds”

“But after noting the lack of proper football facilities in Blantyre, the president ordered it’s resumption and funds for arrears and the remaining part of the projects have been paid”

However, Mkandawire has revealed that the S Mighty Wanderers will be completed this year, while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ will take time as the contractor withdrew at it’s early stages.

“The Mighty Wanderers stadium was abandoned at 70 percentage and is expected to be completed this year. On the other hand, the Bullets stadium will take a little bit longer to be completed as 90 percent of work is still remaining”

Bullets stadium, which was estimated to cost K3.8 billion, is located in Zingwangwa Township near Moneymen Sports Club along Chikwawa Road and was awarded to China Civil Engineering while the Nomads stadium, which was pegged at K3.6 billion and was awarded to Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company, is located in Soche near Blantyre Teachers College. For decades the two giants have been using Kamuzu Stadium as their home ground.

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has disclosed the targets they have set for Kalisto Pasuwa, the newly appointed Malawi football national team coach.

The former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Zimbabwe National Team coach was appointed on a two-year deal replacing Patrick Mabedi.

Speaking during unveiling ceremony on Wednesday in Blantyre, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya revealed that Pasuwa has been given three major targets in his contract.

“Today is a very important day as we start a new journey with new Malawi national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa and we are happy that we have got a permanent coach”

“We have given him two year performance based contract. In regards to targets, he is supposed to win at least COSAFA Cup trophy, help the team to qualify for 2027 AFCON and win a minimum of three of our remaining six World Cup qualifying games”

Haiya further confirmed the role that Pasuwa will play in Malawi. “”he is not only going to be there for the national team but he is also going to foster, help and capacitate even the junior coaches because we are looking to have our own philosophy interms of play”

Meanwhile, Pasuwa believes the targets are achievable only if there’s good working relationship among all relevant stakeholders.

“When we work together we can achieve and we can go to AFCON”

Pasuwa is familiar with the Flames, having led the team to a draw with Burundi and a 3-0 win against Burkina Faso in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The Central Region Football Association – CRFA chairperson Austin Ajawa has revealed 4-point manifesto in his bid to defend his position.

Also in the running for the highest seat in Central Region Football is his vice, Goodall Chinjoka, while another aspirant Antony Nsendema has pulled out of the race.

The election will take place in Mponela, Dowa on Saturday, 8 February.

The 2025 Austin Ajawa CRFA Chairperson manifesto

• Re-shaping and refreshing regional football industry in improving governance structures.
•  Enhancement of stakeholder involvement management policies to bring into the game corporate partners for the growth of CRFA.
•  Lobbying for improved infrastructure at district and zone levels.
•  Enacting policies that give value to regional football with innovative ideas that reshape the outlook of the game.

Quick facts about Ajawa

Austin Biton Ajawa was introduced to Football way back in 1987 when he introduced Ajawa Trophy for districts teams in the Central Region.

In 1999 he became an executive member for Civo Service United, before being appointed team Manager of the Club in 2005.

He contested and won the position of Central Region Football Association chairman in 2010 and has defended it for the past three elections.

Ajawa believes his main achievements over the past 14 years include bringing stable regional league sponsorship and other trophies as well as improving competitiveness among clubs which attributed to CRFA teams dominance in the top flight league.

Sponsors Castel Malawi Limited and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) have expressed excitement over the improved level of competition in this year’s Castel Challenge Cup.

This season’s competition wrapped up on Saturday with Blantyre-based Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defeating Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0 to clinch the highest football cup on the land.

The victory not only earned Wanderers the coveted Castel Trophy, but also a cash prize of K55 million, marking a celebratory moment for the team and its fans.

Lavern Chitakata, Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications for Castel Malawi Limited, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success and fans’ peaceful conduct.

“We are thrilled by the turnout and the vibrant energy at the stadium. Seeing supporters of both teams turn out in large numbers to witness the thrilling encounter was exciting. The match was thrilling, and managing the tournament with so many participating teams has been rewarding,” said Chatakata.

Chitakata also hinted at an even more promising future for the Castel Challenge Cup.

“We are proud to have raised the bar in Malawian football and are excited to announce that next year’s package will be even more exciting for football lovers. We encourage everyone to stay tuned. As Castel, we are happy to announce our commitment to a K1 billion sponsorship for the next season.”

“This partnership is a testament to our commitment to supporting sports development. Football has the power to inspire and unite, and we are proud to play a role in nurturing its growth in Malawi,” said Chitakata.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya praised the quality of the competition and the partnership with Castel Malawi.

“This season has been exceptional, showcasing talented players and skilled coaches. We are grateful to Castel Malawi for their continued trust and support. This partnership goes beyond monetary support because it is about creating opportunities, fostering talent, and building a legacy for the sport in Malawi,” Haiya remarked.

Speaking after the match, goal scorer Thierry Tanjong Sama expressed his joy and pride in contributing to his team’s victory.

“This is a dream come true for me. Coming off the bench and being able to make such an impact in a game of this magnitude is something every player dreams of. It wasn’t just my goal; it was a team effort. We worked hard throughout the tournament, and I am proud of how we came together as a team,” said Sama.

Despite their loss, Mzuzu City Hammers walked away with a K25 million prize as runners-up.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC and Panthers FC, who reached the semi-finals, each received K12 million for their commendable performances.

The Castel Challenge Cup has become a cornerstone of Malawian football, fostering competition and talent development.

The 2024 edition not only captivated fans but also highlighted the growth of the sport in the country, with the promise of even greater opportunities in the years to come.