Silver Strikers goalkeeper George Chikooka has become the first ‘keeper to win the TNM Super League Player of the Season Award, ending an era of on-field players’ dominance.
Blessed with an incredible height of 1.8 metres, great reflexes, agility, footwork, top notch distribution as wells as excellent positioning, the former Chitipa United goalkeeper was recognised on Friday during the 2024 TNM Super League prize presentation.
for the Flames. | Nation
Chikooka, who was instrumental in ending Silver’s TNM Super League title drought with an impressive 18 cleansheets in the campaign, also won the Golden Glove.
Football analyst George Chiusiwa, who is also Silver board member in an interview said Chikooka deserves the award.
He said: “The recognition of the excellent performances of goalkeeper George Chikooka in the 2024 season by Sulom says much to the feat achieved by the Silver goal-minder. He displayed total brilliance in between the sticks, and at times individually carrying the team on his shoulders, for the eventual victory of the Central Bankers towards the Super League glory. He deserves the Golden Glove accolade.”
The 29-year-old, who is with the Flames in Tunisia for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, said he was thrilled to win the award in his debut season at the Area 47- based outfit.
He said: “I thank my teammates for making this happen.”
The Bankers dominated the awards as Uchizi Vunga won the Best Midfielder Award while McDonald Lameck won the Best Defender Award.
Peter Mponda, who led the Bankers to their first title in 13 years, was named Best Coach.
Mighty Wanderers midfielder Isaac Kaliati won the Golden Boot with 17 goals while Mighty Tigers goalkeeper Lucky Tizola wa named Rookie of the Season.
Chiusiwa applauded Sulom for changing the awards selection criteria by considering all players and not just on-field ones.
He said: “It can also be stated that the new criteria for voting for the best performers may be attributed to recognising Chikooka for his feat. On-field players have dominated such awards and honours because of mere bias and overlooking the individual and collective efforts made by goalkeepers. Thus, Sulom’s decision to change the way in recognising the best performers should be commended. The accomplishment by Chikooka will encourage other goalkeepers to attain the same achievement.
“And surely the awarding of young Mighty Tigers goalkeeper Lucky Tizola as Rookie of the Season should also be looked at in a similar perspective. Without the changed method of recognising these stars Chikooka and Tizola would not have attained this feat because of the traditional negative bias towards goalkeepers in Malawi football’s recognition of excellent and brightest stars in the game.”
Meanwhile, centre referee Mwayi Msungama, first assistant referee Clemence Kanduku, second assistant referee Mphatso Mmatete and fourth official David Chinoko won the Best Referees Panel of the Season Award.
Civil Service United were named the club with most disciplined supporters.
