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Mpinganjira demands discipline as Wanderers prepare for 2026/27 season

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Mpinganjira demands discipline as Wanderers prepare for 2026/27 season

By Chisomo Phiri

President of Mighty Wanderers FC, Thomson Frank Mpinganjira, has urged the club’s players to maintain discipline and increase their commitment as the team prepares for the upcoming football season.

Speaking during the 2026 Mighty Wanderers Presidential Ball Awards at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre last night, Mpinganjira said the club is determined to build a stronger and more competitive team ahead of the 2026/2027 season.

Mpinganjira



“We do not want a situation where Wanderers struggles to match other teams on the field,” he said,expressing confidence that the club will return stronger in the coming campaign.

As part of efforts to strengthen the team, Mpinganjira also announced the appointment of Albert Mpinganjira as a strikers’ coach to help improve the club’s goal-scoring performance.

During the same event, Mpinganjira issued a stern warning to players regarding penalties, saying any player who refuses to take a penalty during matches will forfeit match bonuses for the entire season.

The club president said Wanderers will no longer tolerate players avoiding responsibility during crucial moments in matches.

“I do not want to see that happening again next season,” he said.

The warning follows incidents during the 2025 season in which some Wanderers players reportedly excused themselves from taking penalties at critical stages of major competitions.

The situations occurred during the final of the FDH Bank Cup against Silver Strikers FC and in the semi-final of the Castel Challenge Cup, matches that the Nomads eventually lost.

In 2025, the Nomads ended an eight-year top-flight league title drought.

Mponela United Crowned Inaugural National Bank Under-23 Cup Champions

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Mponela United Crowned Inaugural National Bank Under-23 Cup Champions


By Burnett Munthali

Mponela United of Dowa District have made history as the inaugural champions of the National Bank Under-23 Cup, defeating Karonga Reserve FC 3-2 on post-match penalties at Champions Stadium in Dowa.

The thrilling encounter ended 0-0 after regulation time, with Mponela United emerging victorious in the penalty shootout.

Coach Pasco Chirwa expressed his delight after the match, saying he was thrilled that his team had emerged champions. “It’s a proud moment for us, and we’re grateful to the players for their hard work and dedication,” Chirwa said.



The victory marks a significant achievement for Mponela United, who will walk away with K10 million in prize money.

Karonga Reserve FC, who finished as runners-up, will receive K4 million, while third-placed Kababa Academy from Zomba will take home K2 million.

National Bank of Malawi chief risk officer, Charles Ulaya, praised the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for organizing a successful tournament.

“The sponsors are impressed with how the tournament has been run, and we’re committed to continuing our support for Malawian football,” Ulaya said.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya thanked National Bank of Malawi for believing in the association’s vision to transform the game.

The National Bank Under-23 Cup has got off to a flying start, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next edition. With the success of this tournament, the future of Malawian football looks bright.

FDH Bank impressed with inaugural FDH Premier Netball League

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FDH Bank impressed with inaugural FDH Premier Netball League

By Linda Kwanjana



FDH Bank Plc has hailed the inaugural FDH Premier Netball League as a major success following the end of the competition at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Sports Complex in Blantyre.

The first-ever season ended in style, with Blue Eagles Sisters crowned champions after completing an extraordinary unbeaten campaign. The police outfit sealed the title emphatically with a commanding 58–33 victory over Tigresses Netball Team, finishing the season with a flawless record of 22 wins from 22 matches.

The competition, which brought together top netball teams from across the country, has been widely praised for raising the standard of the sport while creating opportunities for players to showcase their talent.

Civonets Netball Team finished on the third position after edging Kukoma Diamonds Netball Team 46–43 in one of the most competitive matches of the final round.

Noel Mkulichi



As part of its commitment to supporting sports development in the country, FDH Bank awarded K13 million to the champions, K10 million to the runners-up, and K8 million to the third-placed team.

Speaking during the awards ceremony on Sunday, FDH Bank plc Managing Director Noel Mkulichi expressed satisfaction with the success of the competition.

“What we anticipated to be an exciting competition has gone beyond expectations. We have witnessed a great deal of talent, and we believe we have delivered a successful season,” said Mkulichi.

He said the Bank remains committed to supporting participating teams beyond branding and marketing by exploring additional avenues of assistance.

Mkulichi added that the season has positively impacted lives off the court by bringing people together from across the country.

“Netball is not just a sport but also a form of entertainment that connects communities,” he said.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) President, Vitumbiko Gubuduza also praised the organisation of the league, describing it as a major milestone.

“We started in July and concluded in March, completing 264 games over eight months. That is a significant achievement. There has been noticeable improvement among teams, and matches have remained competitive throughout,” she said.

Gubuduza noted that the league aligns with FDH Bank’s objective of developing netball, emphasising the need for collective effort in advancing the sport.

She therefore, called on more corporate entities to support teams and invest in the growth of netball alongside government initiatives, including grassroots development.

She further stressed the league’s role in preparing players for international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games, noting that continuous participation has helped maintain fitness levels.

Meanwhile, NAM has confirmed plans to kick off the 2026 season earlier, possibly within the next two months, to keep players active and ready for national duty.

Mponela FC clinch NBM U-23 Championship

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Mponela FC clinch NBM U-23 Championship

By Linda Kwanjana

Dowa-based Mponela FC have been crowned champions of the inaugural National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Under-23 Championship after defeating Karonga United Reserves 3-2 through post-match penalties in an exciting final played at Champion Stadium in Mponela.

The closely contested match ended goalless in regulation time, with both sides creating numerous scoring opportunities but failing to find the back of the net.

Charles Ulaya



Mponela held their nerve to seal a historic victory in front of their home supporters.

Speaking after the match on Sunday, Mponela FC head coach Pascal Chirwa hailed his players for their determination and composure.

“The triumph is a major milestone for the team. Winning the inaugural championship will serve as strong motivation as the club prepares for other future games ahead,” said Chirwa.

Karonga United Reserves head coach Chris Chimkwita, however, felt his side had done enough to win the match.

“We were the better team on the day despite the loss. Nonetheless, we accept the result, and we commend the players for their effort throughout the tournament,” said Chimkwita.

NBM plc Chief Risk Officer Charles Ulaya expressed satisfaction with the organisation and impact of the competition.

“We have seen Mponela FC emerge as champions, which reflects our goal of unearthing talent from across the villages. It is especially encouraging that every district in Malawi took part in this championship, ensuring inclusivity nationwide.”

“Going forward, we believe this competition will serve as a strong foundation for the Under-23 national team, providing a valuable pool of talent for selection,” said Ulaya.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya applauded National Bank of Malawi for introducing the competition.

“The NBM U-23 Championship has created a vital platform for young players to showcase their talent beyond district-level football. The tournament has opened doors for emerging players and reaffirmed FAM’s commitment to nurturing the identified talent to strengthen the country’s football future,” said Haiya.

As champions, Mponela FC walked away with a K10 million prize, while runners-up Karonga United Reserves received K4 million.

Kababa Academy secured third place and earned K2 million, rounding off a successful inaugural edition of the competition.

The Zomba-based Academy also defeated Blantyre-based side QPL Stars 4-3 through post-match penalties after a two-all draw in regulation time.

Apart from the team’s prize money, several players were also awarded for their outstanding performances during their previous matches.

The competition started at district level before graduating to the regional encounter where Karonga United Reserves emerged victors in the Northern Region, Mponela FC represented the Central, while QPL Stars and Kababa Academy were the Southern and Eastern Regions ambassadors respectively.

The NBM Under 23 Championship is part of the NBM plc’s K1.58 billion sports sponsorship launched last year.

ESCOM Appoints Global Energy Expert as CEO

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ESCOM Appoints Global Energy Expert as CEO

By Linda Kwanjana

The Board of Directors of the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited has announced the appointment of Engineer William Kaipa as the Corporation’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st April 2026.

In a statement signed by chairperson of the Board Alfred Nhlema, the strategic move follows a deliberate and carefully considered board process aimed at safeguarding the stability and strategic direction of the nation’s power utility during a period of heightened operational urgency.

Recognizing the current critical state of the power sector—characterized by system reliability challenges and the need for accelerated infrastructure reforms—the Board exercised its governance discretion to undertake an expedited and targeted executive search.

William Kaipa



Nhlema described the move as a “measured and exceptional decision taken within the confines of the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities, balancing procedural norms with the urgent need to ensure continuity of leadership and service delivery”.

Engineer Kaipa is a distinguished professional with over 37 years of experience spanning the energy, infrastructure, and resources sectors. His career is defined by senior leadership roles at some of the continent’s most significant institutions, including Eskom, the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), and Arup.

Notably, his technical mastery includes serving as the Lead Mechanical Engineer for the R3.5 billion Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme and involvement in the Majuba UCG Pilot Plant, demonstrating a proven ability to manage complex generation systems and large-scale project execution.

Furthermore, Kaipa held senior roles at Eskom’s Lethabo Power Station, where he oversaw plant performance improvement and operational optimization within a national grid environment. 

In addition to his vast field experience, Engineer Kaipa holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Malawi, and is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. The Board expressed high confidence that his leadership maturity and technical authority will provide the immediate impact required to stabilize ESCOM’s operations and accelerate ongoing projects.

The appointment is viewed as a strategic alignment of global expertise with national priorities, particularly as Malawi advances toward its MW2063 development agenda.

By securing a leader capable of delivering results from day one, the Board reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and securing the country’s energy future.

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