Sports in Time

Zakazaka The confederation of African football has appointed Football associations of Malawi Communications and compensations Director Zakazaka as one of the match officials for the Total Energies under-20 Afcon Finals in Egypt. According to the Times group, FAM released a statement saying that Zakazaka will be Assistant general coordinator at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia between February 14 and March 6, which will be home for group B teams comprising Uganda, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan and Congo. “I feel honored with the appointment. It is a huge platform for me and I would like to thank Caf for the recognition and opportunity to continue learning”. Zakazaka responds from the statement. Zakazaka has been involved in several matches including Cosafa cup, World cup qualifiers and home matches for Malawi in Afcon. However FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda described Zakazaka as being good in professionalism. “This shows that Caf holds our official in high esteem for the good w...

Zomba stadium Football lovers in Zomba has claimed over the unprogressive construction of Zomba stadium project saying they have never watched super league games in the city for years. Speaking to Malawi24 one of the concerned party, Anderson Miwanda emphasized that the construction has taken almost six years now, describing this as an insult to soccer lovers. “This delay is unfortunate and is denying people in Zomba chances to watch super league games”, Sad Miwanda. In the past, the stadium used to be known by the name Zomba community ground before government decides to upgrade it in 2017. “It would have been better if Zomba community ground remained as it was, because it was the only ground that used to host super league games in the district”, he added. According to Malawi24, only two stands are complete giving a doubt for the government if it really wants to develop sports in as far as Zomba stadium is concerned. DEC construction is the constructor of the stadium which is expected ...

Malawi Netball umpires lack credibility in World cup. Top netball umpire and tutor Rebecca Dulanya has expressed a worry on local netball umpire that they will continue to be sidelined from famous competitions unless Netball Association of Malawi involve a spirit of seriousness.  “It is sad that the good reputation that Malawi has in global netball, we continue to miss out on the list of umpires for prestigious competitions such as the world cup”.  “As a country, we need to organize ourselves and show seriousness in umpire training with NAM playing a major role in supporting the initiative, especially from grassroots", said Dulanya. According to The nation, Dulanya disclosed this after local umpires missed the list of 23 officials that world netball appointed to officiate the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa from July 28 to August 8. The list has recruited six from New Zealand, five from Australia and England, three from South Africa, two from Jamaica, one eac...

One of the flames foreign player_ Mhango  Majority of the foreign based players are lacking game time in their respective clubs. This comes after realizing that reliable Striker Gabadinho Mhango has not been featured for DStv premiership side Amazulu in the last three matches whereas defender Chembezi Dennis and Khuda Muyaba are also struggling for game time. Meanwhile the flames are going to face the battle with the pharaohs of Egypt in the 2023 total energies Africa cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches between March 20-28 in Cairo and Bingu National Stadium. In an interview with the times group Malawi, Marinica said that it was a concern. “Yes I know obviously, but we cannot interfere with clubs, program and schedule. Of course we advise them to keep going to the gym and hope they should get back in the first eleven soon” Said Marinica. Again defender Limbikani Mzava is hunting for club whereas John Banda is in the country for off-season break. Former flames midfielder Sherr...

 Salima Sugar Company has renewed a K48 million annual sponsorship for Dedza Dynamos with the super league club deal till March next year. Malawi24 learnt that the deal was set on Wednesday at the company’s offices in Lirongwe during a review meeting by the two. However secretary to the company Dr. Charles Thupi, the company is glad with the performance of the team and also what they have done outside the field of the play in putting the company’s bland on market. “They have done beyond our expectations and as a company we had no any other choice but to continue working with them”, said Thupi. Then he challenged the team to put an extra gear in their performance this season, so as to get the surprises that have been set for it by the company’s Chairperson. Speaking with Malawi24, General Secretary of the club mabvuto Mugobe recognize the company for the support saying that the sponsorship is a great motivator for the team. Salima sugar provides K5.3 million kwacha to the team every...

Nyirenda_Misinjo Former sable farming defender George Nyirenda and former Dedza salima sugar player Henry Misinjo are carrying training sessions with Mzuzu based soldiers Moyale Barracks. According to Malawi24 the two were seen training with the team from Tuesday February 7, 2023. However Moyale Barracks head coach Nicolas Mhango responds on the matter by saying that no one amongst the two has been guaranteed to be in the final 2023 squad. “Currently no one is registerd as Moyale barracks player until the end of the trials. This includes old players because it is performances which will determine who will be registered”. ”We received many players who are on trials including Nyirenda and Misinjo. They are part of the players to be assessed and we hope by the end of this month we will come up with the final squad”, Mhango said. More than 15 players are training with Moyale. Meanwhile General Secretary Lt Mike Chimwala said they are yet to identify the final squad as they are awaiting rep...

Eddington Ng'omani (left)  Former football association of Malawi technical director and flames coach Eddington Ngomano, was found dead at his home Chileka, Blantyre on wednesday. According to the times group Malawi, brother to the late Ng'omano George ng'omano said that the cause of his brothers death is not yet known. Late Ng'omano was sports director at Kalibu academy in Blantyre until his death. He also worked for a period of time with flames, having worked with danish coach Kim splidsboel as deputy and an assistant to Allan Gillet. He took over the flames in 2002 for a draw against Ethiopia and 2_1 victory over zimbabwe. He also served as a FAM technical director and as coach. He led flames to a 1_0 victory with Namibia in the African cup of nations (AFCON) qualifiers after he was qualified as a coach. According to Times group Malawi, National football Association coaches chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni said he was shocked. "The nation has lost. He was a dedicated ...

  Chawinga in blue_black Jessy   Italian based Malawian football star Tabitha Chawinga rank on the second position in the best African women's footballer for the third successive time by ESPN channels. The channel recognise the performance of women's footballers and teams worldwide. In an interview with the nation yesterday, the scorchers captain said she hopes for her better performance in women's serie A and consistent for the confederation of   African Footballer (CAF) African women's footballer of the year award. "Having missed out of the CAF award nomination last year, I hope I will make the shoot-list this year" Tabitha has been the best in the italian women's top_flight in which she leads the score chart with 13 goals. Read more... https://mwnation.com/tabitha-ranked-2nd-best-for-third-consecutive-month/

Flames The flames local based players on Wednesday afternoon has been released from camp for a break in preparation for the next months 2023 African qualifying matches. According Malawi24, coach Mario Marinica planned to release the players to join their respective clubs in pre_season training and are expected to camp again next week. In an interview with Malawi24 Marinica said in three days the boys were at Moira village, they worked very hard but their fitness levels were proved to be low due to inactivity since the season ended last year. “We have had very good training sessions in the three days that we have been with the boys. However, they look so unfit which is normal because we know this is because most of them haven’t played any game since December 17, when the season came to an end. “We had the fitness clinics before this camp which somehow have helped in improving their fitness levels but they are not yet there in as far as competitive matches are concerned. It was good that...

Referees during one of the game The National Referees Association (NRA) has revealed that the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) owes referees K4.2 million in unpaid officiation fees. According to the Times group NRA General Secretary Chris Kalichero confirmed the case on Tuesday, saying Sulom paid them K5 million but the body was yet to pay the remaining sum of K4.2 million. “We expect Sulom to pay us the money before the start of next season. It has been long overdue,” said Kalichero. According Kalichero, Sulom told the referees that the delay to settle the fees comes in due to lack of funds. Kalichero also said that a set of referees get about K125, 000 per game—translating to K25, 000 per person. In an interview with the Times group Sulom President Tiya Somba Banda said the referees will get their dues soon. “We are yet to receive payment from our creditors as well and we will be paying referees as, and when, we receive payments as well,” Somba-Banda said. The incident c...

Tiya Somba Banda Malawi super league (sulom) has announced for a partnership with kwezy Buses Company which will be providing mode of transportation for referees. According to sulom the agreement is annual but subject to renewal at the end of 2023 season. In a statement dated 5 th February 2023, the super league of Malawi says during the matches allocated between Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, the referees, match commissioners, and referee assessors will be carried by Kwezy buses. “The super league of Malawi has entered into partnership with kwezy buses to provide transportation to referees. In the partnership, kwezy buses will be ferrying match officials (referees, match commissioners, referees assessors) to matches during intercity assignments between Blantyre, Lilongwe and mzuzu”, the statement reads. According to Malawi24 sulom president has appreciated for the deal that it will improve officiation in the league and complaints that teams have in relation to officiation ...

John Maduka Former Flames international John Maduka has been rehired by Royal AM after his failed career with Maritzburg United. According to Malawi24, the club has confirmed taking back their ex-mentor earlier today, through their official Facebook page among other platforms. In the past years Maduka made a move from Royal AM, formerly known as Bloemfontein Celtic and joined Maritzburg. In accordance with Malawi24 Maduku managed to take Royal AM to the CAF confederation cup. But with Maritzburg he brought sad news as he failed to impress the team. Upon his return, Maduku is expected to get back Royal AM’s forms. The club is clearly not playing as well as they were last season. The club finds itself 12th in the DSTV Premiership with 21 points and just three points clear of the relegation zone. Source: Malawi24

Mkandawire Newly appointed minister of youth and sports Uchizi Mkandawire has said he is well conversant that local sporting activities and associations suffer from lack of funds. President Lazarus Chakwera, in exercising powers conferred upon him by Section 94(1) of the Malawi Constitution, appointed a new Cabinet on February 1. Speaking in an interview with the Times group Mkandawire said that he needs time to consult respective departments within his portfolio to come out with clear plans and goals. “Obviously I am excited about the appointment and very grateful to his Excellency the State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and look forward to doing great things at the ministry. “Currently, I think the sports sector is facing funding and poor infrastructure challenges. I will make sure I lobby for adequate resources,” Mkandawire said. However sporting associations welcomed Mkandawire. According to Times group Football Association of Malawi President Walter Nyamilandu pledged...

Mbappe was withdrawn with an injury at Montepellier Kylian Mbappe missed two penalties and he was taken off injured just after 21 minutes as his Paris St German side won at Montpellier. According to BBC sport the France striker had an early shot, but saved and after a delay he retake an off the post shot, just for him to fire the rebound over an empty net. However Mbappe lift off holding his hamstring soon after, less than a fortnight before PSG's Champions League last-16 first-leg tie with Bayern Munich. Responding after the match, Coach Christophe Galtier gave a suggestion for the injury as not a muscle problem but a down to a knock. “He took a knock to the back of the knee or the back of the thigh, so we'll see," said Galtier. "I'm not too worried. It's a bruise or a contusion, we don't know yet. "With the run of matches we don't want to take risks with a very busy fixture list, but it doesn't appear that serious." Said Galtie...

Ekendweni against Red Lions. Mzuzu based super league side Ekwendeni Hammers has released 6 players and signed 15 new members to recover the squad for the forthcoming season. According to Times group, the general secretary for Ekwendeni Benjamin Thole signed a statement which discuss the release on January 27, 2023. “Ekwendeni hammers football club is pleased to announce the release of the following players listed below after the technical panel made recommendations and are free to join any team of their choice. We greatly appreciate the services rendered to the team and I wish them well in their endeavors,” the statement reads. The released player are former silver striker’s winger Ndaziona Chatsalira, Mabuchi Msika, Samson banda, Rodrick Gugutu, Patrick Gama and Emmanuel kathithi. In an interview with Times group on Monday Thole said they would like to cement the side with youthful players. “We want new blood. We conducted trials at Chabavi community ground and we signed 15...

Moises Caicedo on the run Brighton has rejected a second pay from Arsenal for Ecuador Midfielder Moises    Caicedo and has convinced the premier league leaders that he is not on the market. According to BBC sport, the newest pay is thought to be in the region of 70m Euro. Both Arsenal and Chelsea had offers for the 21-year old turn down last week. Caicedo told Brighton in an open letter that he want a move with the club in response to Brighton’s decision on him that he needs to take time until after Tuesdays deadline. Brighton are on the sixth position in the premier league and have got a five point’s gap with the fifth place spurs, but with two games in hand on Antonio contes side. However Brighton chairman De Zerbi said loosing Caicedo it’s a problem for them. “Tony Bloom knows very well my opinion. We lost {Cendro} Trossard and if we also lose Caicedo it’s a problem for us if we want to fight for Europe”. “If we don’t lose Caicedo we are ready to fight”. Bef...

Bullets and wanderers (some of the clubs) TNM super league clubs has posed a consideration with football association of Malawi to give them at least enough time in meeting the requirements that from next season they should have women’s teams as part of clubs licensing. According to The Nation, the requirement follows a resolution by the confederation of African Football (CAF) that all national league clubs should have women’s football teams. In fact only four out of the 16 well known clubs namely Nyasa Big Bullets, civil Service United, Kamuzu Barracks and Moyale Barracks have established women’s teams. For the remaining 12 clubs Mighty Mukulu Wanderers revealed that they are in negotiation to buy Bangwe queens to meet the requirement of FAM. However the remaining clubs delivers a similar speech saying that it will be hard for them to meet the requirements before the start of the season because they need time to allocate everything. Here is the speech by Chitipa United Team Manager Wat...

NBB Reserve 2022-2023 winners Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve has registered the unbeaten record after defeating Bangwe all-stars 2-0 making them masters in Thumbs up southern region football League at Kamuzu stadium on Saturday. According to Malawi 24 Bangwe all-stars looked well equipped throughout the match but they were shocked with the unexpected goals coming from Lyton Chinong’one and Emmanuel Saviel of Nyasa Reserve. In the 13th minutes, Franklin Titan send an extraordinary free-kick inside the box and Chikumbutso Salima connected it by head, but Elias Missi joined the flow by making the ball to go in the path of Chinong’one, who had a simple to task of shooting to make it 0-1. Upon seeing that, Bangwe Head Coach, Mabvuto Lungu, decides to have a double change by replacing James Zuze and Silvester Phiri with Andrew Jere and Andrew Maluwa Immediately. According to Malawi 24 the change did not show any positive results for Bangwe as Bullets established a two goal lead through Saviel in ...