Category: Sports

Civil Service United secured their spot in the Airtel Top 8 semifinals with a commanding 4-0 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers at Civo Stadium. The win marks Civil’s first semifinal appearance since 2021, breaking their quarterfinal curse.

Blessings Malinda stole the show, being named ‘Dolo Wa Match’ after contributing to three of Civil’s goals. His relentless energy and creativity were pivotal, assisting Dastin Banda’s opener and delivering a perfect cross for Muhamad Biason to make it 2-0. Malinda then scored the third goal with a low shot that slipped past the Hammers’ keeper. Damian Kunje sealed the win late on after a defensive mix-up.

Speaking after the game, Civil Service United head coach Abbas Makawa praised his team’s performance: “We told the boys to finish the game in the first half. I just encouraged them to enjoy the match and create scoring chances,” he said.

Mzuzu City Hammers struggled throughout, missing head coach Steven Mkwinika and assistant Luckson Nyoni. Despite brief moments of threat from Chimwemwe Chunga and Pearson Mbizi, they failed to capitalize. Hammers, who impressed last season by finishing fourth in the Super League, are now facing early struggles, compounded by the absence of key striker Isaac Msiska.

Hammers’ Team Manager, Lazarus Nyemera, described the 4-0 margin as an embarrassing defeat: “The first goal disrupted our game plan and approach. It’s disappointing, but we now shift our focus to the league,” he said.

Civil now awaits the winner of the Silver Strikers vs. Moyale Barracks clash, while Hammers look to bounce back against Blue Eagles and Mighty Tigers in their next league fixtures.

By Blessings Chitekwere- Wa Mpira:

The Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) has secured a massive boost after entering into a three-year partnership with Sultan Trading, manufacturers of top-quality concrete products. The deal will see the company inject K30 million annually, bringing the total package to K90 million with a provision to renew the sponsorship at the end of each season.

The landmark agreement was officially sealed on May 16, 2025, during a ceremony held at Mpira Village in Chiwembe, Blantyre.

SRFA Chairperson Dyles Kachala hailed the partnership as a timely intervention, especially after the exit of Betika, whose one-year sponsorship wrapped up at the end of the 2024 season.

“I am very delighted as Chairperson and on behalf of SRFA for securing this sponsorship. We will jealously guard it. It is a valuable package, surpassing even all premier division leagues in the country. We simply ca not afford to lose it,” said Kachala.

Sultan Trading, known for producing cement blocks, interlocking pavers, kerb stones, and cement bricks, is stepping into football for the first time. Manager Wiseman Mnembo said the company is passionate about empowering talented youths and creating platforms that can catapult them to greater heights.

“Our company values sports. This sponsorship is our way of giving back by providing skilled young people with a better stage to showcase their talent possibly even to reach professional levels,” said Mnembo.

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has applauded the development. Marketing and Broadcasting Manager Tulipo Mwenelupembe commended SRFA for securing a deal that outshines all other regional leagues in the country.

“I want to welcome Sultan Trading to football and express my hope that this becomes a long-term relationship. With the exposure you will get from sponsoring the SRFA Division One League through the media and growing fan base, you are bound to enjoy significant returns, including increased sales,” Mwenelupembe said.

He added that FAM will continue supporting its affiliates by facilitating capacity-building workshops aimed at attracting sustainable sponsorships.

The 2025/26 SRFA Division One season is set to kick off on Sunday, May 25, at Mchima Estate Ground with an exciting clash between hosts Mchima FC and Vincent United from Mulanje.

According to the association, partnerships like this are a big stride towards achieving their mission of engaging teams from every district in the Southern Region while nurturing grassroots football talent.

Lighting in the field, thundering with exhilarating statistics, Festus Duwe has quickly established himself as a prolific force opponents will surely dread, yea, like his hairstyle.

Electrifying speed, razor-sharp turns and a blur of motion, he leaves defenders grasping at air.

In the concluded transfer window, Festus, who was getting his bread battered at CIVO Service United was a highly sought player.

It was not a huge surprise that the country’s top teams, or those whose blood ooze in the image of stashes of money scrambled for his signature.

Whether by design, default or both, the dread locked star left CIVO’s ‘Nyayabighi’ cult unhappy to join the central bankers, whose fiscal reserves are never dry.

In fair standards, Silver strikers has quality to squarely tussle competitively against any team on the local scene, they are current reigning TNM Super league champions, anyway.

Overwhelmingly, any new player that joins them, do so to compete among the local’s finest. There are no outright and guaranteed berths at such clubs. In scripts of his own, Festus Duwe has quickly established himself as a principal architect of the banker’s warm heartbeat.

He has dutifully eclipsed some stars, not by proclamation of his quick feet, but by some adorable statistics.

From being named in the substitute cast in the banker’s first opening match of the season against Nyasa Big Bullets, to the most recent match against Songwe, Festus has taken the aura of his festivity to greater heights.

He scored the lone in the bankers Airtel top 8 Match, and subsequently named man of the match.

He featured in the starting lineup against Chitipa United, a match that ended two all. In a sign of confidence, Coach Peter Mgangira honoured the star with yet another starting berth, against Kamuzu Barracks at Champions, which Silver won by two goals to nil.

He caught the serious attention of book makers in his Silver shirt, when he scored a brace against new league entrants Songwe Boarder at Karonga Stadium, convincingly named man of the match.

To underline his earliest prowess, he has been named Silver Strikers April player of the month, not an ordinary feat for someone learning the philosophy of play at acre number 47.

Is it time to begin decorating him as the necessary jewel that Silver Strikers need to defend title? It might be too early, but not too unrealistic.

Do we ignite the bankers? My emphatic, yes! The festivity of Festus is here.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has announced that preparations for the inaugural NBS Bank National Division League are nearing culmination, with the kick-off date firmly established.

In alignment with its strategic ambition to elevate the sport, the Association last year, in July, secured a transformative three-year sponsorship agreement with NBS Bank, valued at an impressive MK1 Billion. The partnership underscores the bank’s commitment to fostering the game’s growth at a national scale.

The National Division League, conceptualized as a pivotal component of the football pyramid, will supplant the regional leagues as the nation’s second-tier competition, reflecting FAM’s commitment to structural reform and strategic advancement.

Speaking at a media briefing in Blantyre on Friday, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya articulated that the league is set to commence this month on the 24th in Mchinji, featuring a high-stakes fixture between Mchinji Villa FC and Mitundu Baptist.

Haiya emphasized that the MK1 Billion sponsorship, allocated over three seasons, remains dynamic and may be subject to enhancement, affirming that NBS Bank is poised to amplify its financial commitment as the league matures.

“As the Football Association of Malawi, we are unequivocally in a transformative phase. This paradigm shift is essential to achieving a sustainable National Team capable of excelling in continental and global competitions. To actualize this vision, we recognized the imperative of reimagining our football administration and governance.

“One strategic intervention was the establishment of a national-level tier to bolster the competitiveness of our flagship league, the TNM Super League. We extend our profound gratitude to NBS Bank for materializing this ambitious vision. The rapid securing of sponsorship within the league’s formative year is unprecedented.

“While the initial contract value stands at MK1 Billion, we anticipate a potential increment, contingent upon the realization of sponsorship value. NBS Bank has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing Malawian football, and we are optimistic about sustained collaboration,” Haiya asserted.

He further revealed that the comprehensive preparatory phase, encompassing club licensing protocols, has concluded successfully, with all 12 participating teams meeting the requisite standards for league participation.

FAM has ratified an MK15 million annual subvention per club for teams participating in the NBS Bank National Division League. This resolution was formalized during FAM’s second Executive Committee meeting of the year, convened on 4th May 2025 at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.

Haiya assured stakeholders of meticulous and professional league management, reinforced by robust administrative frameworks designed to optimize operational efficiency.

“Professional club management is integral to delivering value to stakeholders and fostering financial viability. Historically, financial independence has been a recurrent challenge for Malawian clubs, but with structured governance, we can chart a sustainable path forward,” he elaborated.

Furthermore, clubs have been equipped with comprehensive training on the Competition Management System to mitigate player registration anomalies, including unauthorized team switching.

NBS Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Shadreck Chikusilo, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the synergy between NBS Bank’s vision and FAM’s transformative agenda.

“Our legacy of football involvement, particularly through the Charity Shield, positioned us to embrace this opportunity. The strategic framework presented by FAM was compelling, reflecting a forward-thinking ethos that we are proud to support. We are confident that this initiative will catalyze qualitative improvements in the sport, ultimately enhancing the National Team’s performance. Moreover, this collaboration will extend our brand’s footprint across the nation,” he remarked.

FAM Competitions Manager, Gomezgani Zakazaka, indicated that efforts are underway to synchronize the national football calendar with the FIFA Calendar, with the league projected to conclude in February of the following year.

The league will feature a competitive roster of 12 teams, with the top three earning promotion to the elite league annually, while four will face relegation to the regional divisions. The relegated trio from the Super League will be incorporated into the NDL, supplemented by one representative from each Regional League annually.

Following the league’s inauguration on May 24, five fixtures are slated for the subsequent day: FOMO FC will host Chintheche United at Mulanje Park, Ntaja United will clash with Chilumba Barracks at Balaka Stadium, Baka City will contend with Red Lions at Karonga Stadium, Namitete Zitha will engage Ndirande Stars, and Bangwe All Stars will challenge Jenda United at Mpira Stadium.

South Africa has received a significant boost ahead of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) second leg qualifier against Malawi, scheduled for Sunday at Loftus Stadium.

Coach Molefi Ntseki expressed relief during Thursday’s training session as he welcomed back key players Neo Maema, Ndumulelo Maphangule, Victor Letsoalo, Siyanda Msani, Simon Ramabu, and Kamogelo Sebelebele. These players were unavailable during the first leg held in Lilongwe, where Malawi secured a narrow 1-0 victory with Zeliati Nkhoma scoring the winner.

Ntseki, pleased with the reinforcements, noted a marked improvement during a tough training match against Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars at Loftus. Reflecting on the first leg loss, Ntseki admitted that South Africa struggled with game management, especially given the lack of match fitness among some players who had not been playing regularly or were without clubs.

“The plan in Malawi was to score and not concede, but we struggled with game management and ended up allowing a late goal,” Ntseki remarked. “Despite the setback, we took valuable lessons from that game.”

Ntseki explained that the return of the six players was facilitated by requests to their clubs, particularly those not involved in weekend fixtures. “Clubs like Chippa United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Golden Arrows were cooperative. Their positive response allowed us to bring in the players we needed to strengthen the squad,” he added.

The return of these seasoned players has given Ntseki renewed confidence ahead of the clash against Malawi. He emphasized the importance of maintaining balance and cohesion as the team prepares for the decisive fixture.

Ntseki remains optimistic that the team will deliver a more disciplined and effective performance to overturn the deficit and secure qualification.

The CHAN tournament, exclusively for players competing in their home countries’ domestic leagues, serves as a critical platform for local talents to gain international exposure. Malawi will travel to South Africa on Friday as the game is scheduled for Sunday in Pretoria.

Following Malawi’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Africa in the first leg of the 2025 CHAN qualifier, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has issued a passionate call to Malawians living in South Africa: turn up in large numbers and support the Flames in the decisive return leg set for May 11 in Pretoria.

The historic win at Bingu National Stadium—secured by a late Zeliati Nkhoma header—has given the Flames a narrow advantage heading into the second leg. However, Haiya believes triumph in Pretoria will require more than just tactical discipline on the pitch; emotional and vocal backing from the stands will be equally crucial.

“This is not just another fixture—it’s a defining moment in Malawi’s football resurgence,” Haiya said. “With a one-goal advantage, the psychological and moral support from the diaspora could make all the difference.”

“We’ve won the first half. Now we prepare to go and finish the job in South Africa,” he added. “There’s no pressure on us—they’re the ones under pressure. Beating South Africa is motivation enough for our players. We just urge Malawians based in South Africa to come out in full force and support the team on May 11 in Pretoria.”

The victory marked Malawi’s first regulation-time win over South Africa since 2001 when Patrick Mabedi scored the lone goal in a Cosafa Cup quarterfinal at Kamuzu Stadium. Since then, Bafana Bafana have dominated the fixture, winning seven of the last ten meetings. However, the Flames have twice triumphed in penalty shootouts—in 2015 and 2023—during Cosafa Cup contests.

Haiya praised Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa and his technical panel for their tactical ingenuity in guiding the Flames to the breakthrough victory.

“First of all, we must commend the players and coaches for the win. It took incredible fighting spirit and tactical awareness,” Haiya said. “Many doubted us before the game, thinking South Africa would win easily, but the players rose to the occasion.”

“Tactically, our coaches did very well. South Africa seemed content with a draw, but our technical panel made key changes, including introducing striker Olson Kanjira to add attacking firepower. It paid off. Kalisto Pasuwa is a true tactician—congratulations to him and the entire technical team.”

Haiya also lauded the fans who turned out in large numbers at Bingu National Stadium, creating an electric atmosphere that spurred the team to victory.

Soon after the game, the FA President left the Corporate Box to personally applaud the supporters for their unwavering backing, acknowledging how their spirited presence pushed the players to secure the memorable win.

“The turnout has been impressive,” he remarked. “This is part of our agenda to transform the game. The supporters believe in the team again, and their energy lifts the players. They are an essential part of this journey.”

Jim Kalua, chairperson of the Football Legends Association (FLA), announced that the association’s first annual general meeting will take place on July 26 2025 at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe.

He said the meeting will provide a platform for delegates to discuss strategies for improving the association’s operations.

“A key focus will be on the welfare of former football players, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their needs are effectively managed,” he said

The  AGM will be held under the theme ‘Legends Unite Building a Brighter Future’.

Started as JK Productions, the organization rebranded to FLA last year.

The association’s board members include chairperson Kalua, his vice Noel Lipipa, second vice-chairperson Justin Saidi, treasurer general Anthony Msendema plus legal counsel and general secretary Solomon Mchawi.

Other board members are Phiri, Kaira, Young Chimodzi, Gilbert Chirwa, Chancy Vinny Gondwe, Spy Msiska and Lovemore Fazili and Rashid Mtelera.