Malawi football is on the rise in some areas.
An emphasis on the importance of youth in football is central to its aim of transforming the sport within the country.
This has arisen due to concerns of older players lingering at the district league level, blocking potential younger stars from coming through.
District football is an essential component in finding new talent, which can then be nurtured before entering the more important Super League teams and then to the National team.
Keeping around older players is now simply a waste of resources, especially given the team is not performing well on the international stage.
But it’s not just younger players that are likely to have an impact in the coming years.
Very much overlooked in the sport, the women’s Malawian team also has some excellent potential if only it was used.
Let’s take a look at some of the players that could see Malawian football’s goals made real in 2025.
Sisters could be winners
The women’s Malawian football team is 156th in the world and has never even come close to entering a major tournament.
But, if the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) actually gets itself together, there are two sisters who could change their fortunes.
Sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga are actually two of the top women’s footballers in the world.
Better still, they’re getting excellent training and practice as they are playing in the USA and France, respectively.
However, the current stage of women’s football in Malawi is nowhere near ready or able enough for these two sisters to actually perform on the world stage.
That being said, as the Chawinga sisters continue to perform at the highest levels in their respective leagues, their success may also impact the growing trend of betting online, where many fans are increasingly tracking player performance.
And though Malawi’s women’s team has never even tried to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), these two may be the boost to take Malawi forward.
Impacts for the men’s team
Doing slightly better than the women’s team is the men’s.
Here, they have managed to qualify for the AFCON three times.
Very talented players have been produced over the years, many of whom have played in international leagues and major careers in South Africa and Europe.
The recent investment into youth football programs also bodes well and has even started to see some talents coming through.
But it’s still early days.
Unfortunately, the country is still labouring under funding and sponsorship issues across all levels of football.
Corruption throughout the football management system is rife.
And, of course, any major talent tends to leave the country, moving to other countries where there are better opportunities.
As such, Malawi needs to find ways to encourage top players to return in order to boost the profile of Malawian football.
All that said, there are some promising young men.
Robin Ngalande has the craftsmanship and technical ability to do well.
Reaching reserve in Athletic Madrid, he’s been able to continue learning on European soil.
He’s bounced about quite a bit since then, playing for multiple European teams.
However, since 2022, he’s back in Malawi, playing for the Mighty Wanderers and in prime position to be up for the next AFCON and help the team succeed.
Another exciting option is John Banda.
A central midfielder, Banda has played in a number of teams and is currently a member of the National squad, too.
He’s already seen action in 2021’s AFCON, and would be a strong option to keep around thanks to his experience.
Another midfielder to look out for is Chimwemwe Idana.
Known for his eye for goals and the ability to shoot with either foot.
He’s been instrumental in the wins his numerous clubs and teams have enjoyed.
He’s a great team player, too, opting for short passes, which helps to open up the game for other players to take chances.
However, until the youth program really gets underway, Malawi’s football scene is still somewhat stagnated.
Many of the older players are still the only real options.
And while they do bring experience, high-level skill, flare and innovation is still very much missing.
And these are key if Malawi is to make an impact internationally.
