Some TNM Super League clubs are yet to form or partner women’s teams as per Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and the Confederation of African Football club licensing regulations.
According to FAM, the requirement stems from a CAF resolution mandating that all top-tier national league clubs must have a women’s team and Super League clubs were expected to meet the requirement lsst season season.
But according to Weekend Nation findings, Mighty Tigers, Dedza Dynamos, Creck Sporting Club and Chitipa United do not have women’s teams, neither have they partnered any.
On the other hand, Karonga United, Songwe Border United and Blue Eagles claim that they are in the process of either establishing or partnering women’s teams.
So far, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers, Silver Strikers, Kamuzu Barracks (KB), Moyale Barracks, and Civil Service United have women’s football teams.
KB have MDF Lioness, Moyale have Moyale Sisters, Civil have Civil Service Women, Wanderers have Mighty Wanderers Queens, Bullets have FCB Nyasa Bullets Queens and Silver have Silver Strikers Ladies—all of which actively participate in regional and national competitions.
FAM maintains that having a women’s football team is a standard requirement for senior clubs.
On why those withour women’s teams were still granted licenses, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka stated that licensing records indicate the clubs in question have partnerships with existing women’s teams, which does not reflect on the ground.
Songwe Border general secretary Palisha Swira said they are in the process of finalising a partnership deal with Ndagha Foundation, which has a women’s team.
“The process is at an advanced stage and we have started supporting the foundation with football items under the agreement,” he said.
Mighty Tigers general secretary Chisomo Sabola cited financial constraints as the main barrier.
“Tigers have no sponsor. Running another team alongside the men’s side is costly. Women’s games are free-entry, so no gate revenue is generated,” he said.
“If FAM could provide subvention like they do for men’s teams, we would be more than ready to form a women’s side,” he said.
Karonga United general secretary Ramzy Simwaka said they are in talks to adopt Baka Sisters as their women’s team.
“We are finalising the leadership transition. A lot is needed to fully establish the team,” he said.
Football analyst Kelvin Moyo observed that the local football ecosystem is grappling with financial constraints, making it difficult for clubs to meet such licensing obligations.
He said: “Almost all elite league clubs are operating at a loss. However, the gap between revenue and expenditure is narrowing since the 2018 football commercialisation initiative.
“This trend offers hope that clubs will eventually be financially empowered to meet licensing requirements, including running women’s teams,” he said.
