Seven Malawians have been nominated for the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards in recognition of their contributions to sports development in various fields.
Malawi is third on the list of nominations below second-placed South Africa, who have 12, and leaders Botswana with 15.
The awards, organised by Africa Sports Ventures Group, will be decided through a public vote, with the winners expected to be announced on December 25.
US-based Scorchers star Temwa Chawinga headlines the Malawian nominees in the Athlete Excellence and Performance category.
contribution towards
womens’ football: Chombo Sadik and Temwa (R).
| Courtesy of FAM
She will contest the award against Zambia’s Copper Queens forward Barbara Banda and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, among others.
Scorchers assistant coach Maggie Chombo Sadik has been nominated in the Coaching Excellence and Athlete Development category.
According to her nominee profile, Temwa is recognised for her contribution to Malawi’s historic second-place finish at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco in August and qualification for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup.
She also won the Golden Boot at the tournament after scoring five goals and providing two assists.
Women’s football pioneer Chombo Sadik’s nomination recognises her contribution as a coach and her role in nurturing young girls as the next generation of players.
The other Malawian nominees include Lucy Kadzongwe in the Sports Media and Broadcast Journalism category while Susan Namangale and Sports for Development founder Chimwemwe Banda have been nominated in the Community Development, Education and Social Impact category.
Netball Association of Malawi president Vitumbiko Gubuduza has been nominated in the Sports Leadership, Governance and Administration category while Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Felister Dossi is in the Global African Diaspora category.
Chombo Sadik in an interview yesterday said the nomination is an honour for her.
“Being nominated among the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports is a great honour and a humbling experience. I feel grateful, proud and motivated because this recognition reflects not only my personal journey but also the hard work, dedication and support of everyone who has been part of my coaching journey.
“It is also an encouragement to continue working hard, breaking barriers and creating opportunities for young girls and women in football. I hope this recognition inspires more women to believe in themselves and pursue leadership roles in sports.
“Above all, I dedicate this achievement to Malawi and to every woman making a difference in African sports. This is not just my achievement; it is an inspiration for the next generation. To God be the glory,” she said.
Beyond the national team, Chombo Sadik founded Blantyre Zero, now FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s Football Team, which she also coaches.
She also runs the Maggie Chombo Sadik Academy.
FAM communications officer Collins Nsunza in an interview said the association was proud to have contributed three of the seven nominees.
He said: “We are delighted that Temwa Chawinga, Maggie Chombo and Felister Dossi have been nominated for the Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards.
“This recognition is a clear indication that our efforts to develop women’s football under the transformation agenda are bearing fruits.
“I urge all football lovers and Malawians to rally behind these three outstanding women by voting for them. Their nominations are a great achievement, not only for them as individuals, but also for women’s football and Malawi as a nation,” he said.
