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IN DEFENSE OF THE NEW FLAMES KIT

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This evening, the Flames of Malawi will host Namibia’s Brave Warriors in what promises to be an enticing encounter. Unfortunately, ahead of the match, instead of discussing formations, tactics, the starting XI, the Flames playing under floodlights, or the implications of the result on Malawi’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the dominant topic has been the Flames’ newly unveiled football kits . Sarah Mlimbika, Zainab Kapanda, and CJ Banda modelling the controversial jersey Manufactured by Admiral, the kit set has received heavy criticism from most football fanatics in the country, particularly due to its perceived poor aesthetics and an uninspired photoshoot that accompanied the launch. Meanwhile, others have criticized the choice of Admiral, a brand often associated with ‘cheap’ products among football apparel enthusiasts. To express their disappointment, scores of football fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure . Some argue that the kits are ...
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Bragging Rights at Stake as Malawi’s Scorchers Face Zambia’s Copper Queens in Double-Header Clash

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Bragging rights will be at stake this afternoon as the Malawi women’s national team, the Scorchers, square off against their Zambian counterparts, the Copper Queens, in a highly anticipated double-header clash. While Zambia will rely on the firepower of stars like Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji , Malawi’s Scorchers will pin their hopes on the phenomenal Chawinga sisters , who have cemented their names among the greats on the global stage.  Unlike their opponents, the Scorchers enter these fixtures after a lengthy period of inactivity, making it difficult to predict their performance. However, with an exciting blend of experienced players and youthful prospects called up for the matches, Coach Lovemore Fazili will be expecting his squad to hold their ground and deliver results that will bring smiles to Scorchers’ fans.  For many Zambians, neutrals, and even less-informed Malawians, identifying key players in the Scorchers’ squad beyond the Chawinga sisters might be a challe...
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FLEETWOOD HAIYA: New Dawn For the Super League of Malawi?

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  On 25th February 2023 , Fleetwood Haiya defeated the then incumbent Tiya Somba Banda to become the new President of the Super League of Malawi. Having demonstrated revolutionary leadership at the country’s football powerhouse, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets , where he had led the transformation of Bullets from a hooligan-led outfit to a proper professional trailblazing entity, Haiya came into the elections holding a strong upper-hand. This background helped him to ease his way past Somba Banda, who had overseen a stale SULOM under his watch. Haiya’s ascendancy to the helm of SULOM is a critical juncture that has the potential to resuscitate Malawian football. At the moment, according to TeamForm’s ranking of domestic football leagues in Africa, Malawi’s top-tier football league occupies number 41 out of 48 ranked domestic leagues on the continent. At a quick glance, given that Malawi currently ranks 32 out 54 on the continent on FIFA rankings, one would be tempted to take a dismissiv...
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THE CELEBS OF THE DISPUTED MAY 19, 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS – PART 2

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A sequel to part 1 , this article continues to look at individuals that trended because of the nullified 2019 general elections. Without wasting time, let’s delve into the thick on things: Mary Chilima: “Mukufuna Mixtape? Tikupatsani”: The elegant Madam Chilima. Mary Chilima was already famous before the elections. Her elegance, impeccable countenance, and public appearances beside her husband had already gotten people talking. However, her popularity spiked a step further after dropping some bars on a beat in support of her husband’s bid for the presidency. It’s fair to say that the track split people’s opinion. While others acknowledged her lyrical prowess and forced rhymes, others cringed over her delivery and found the decision to step in the studio to be utterly ill-advised. That her music career ended as soon as it began probably supports the latter group’s opinion. Nevertheless, a good section of Malawians are still waiting for her maiden album or at least a mixtape. Maybe sh...
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FANS’ ROLE IN THE FLAMES’ QUEST TO CONQUER THE COSAFA REGION

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  The Flames’ impressive exploits at AFCON 2021, where they exited the tournament in the round of 16 , have reignited the belief that Malawi can reach greater heights in international football. Considering that usual regional hegemons such as South Africa, Angola, and Zambia seem to be on an endless downward spiral, the Flames have a fair chance to become a football powerhouse for Southern Africa. To fully claim this status, though, the Flames need to build on their AFCON performance by registering solid results in their next assignments, which will include friendlies, the COSAFA tournament, CHAN 2022, and AFCON 2023 qualifiers. Positive results in these engagements would see the Flames improve on FIFA rankings and earn international recognition. For this to materialize, however, all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Sports, FAM, Mario Marinica and his technical team, the corporate world, local clubs, the players, the media, and us (the fans), need to take concrete action ...
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A JUNIOR FLAMES COHORT THAT FAILED TO FULFILL ITS POTENTIAL

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By qualifying for the 2009 edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which took place in Nigeria, the Malawi U-17 national team became Malawi’s first - and to date only - national team to qualify for a World Cup tournament. Following this monumental achievement, football fanatics across the country earmarked the 2009 U-17 cohort as a collective that was destined to turn Malawi into an African football powerhouse.   However, 12 years later, when the average age of the 21-member junior Flames squad that travelled to the tournament is 27.6, the senior national team languishes on position 123 on FIFA rankings and continues to underperform even at COSAFA tournaments.  So, what happened to this cohort that was expected to propel Malawian football to greater heights?  As of the 2020/21 football calendar, only 10 of the 21 members that represented the country at the tournament are playing top flight football - all attached to TNM Super League teams. These are: Jailos Kapalamula ( ...
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FOUR THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE 2020 TNM SUPER LEAGUE

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  This article highlights 4 major talking points football-starved fans need to look forward to ahead of the delayed 2020 TNM Super League season. These points are: 1.       1. T ight Race for the League Title 2019 season Champions: Nyasa Big Bullets Since the Super League became a 16-team league in 2016, competition for the title has always been a tightly contested affair. That year, Kamuzu Barracks’ Leicester City-esque run saw the Lilongwe-based soldiers win the title with 61 points – 1 point ahead of Nyasa Big Bullets. The following season, Be Forward Wanderers claimed the championship after amassing 69 points, 2 points ahead of second-placed Nyasa Big Bullets. The 2018 season turned out a little different in that Bullets ended their 2-year title drought by claiming the top spot with an 8 points gap ahead of second-placed Wanderers. The 2019 title race went back to basics, as Bullets nipped the title on the final day with a difference of 1 point ahead of runne...
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