A closed chapter.
TNM plc says it is taking a bow from sponsoring the top-flight football league with its head held high for its contribution towards the league’s growth through “massive financial injection” and other initiatives.
The mobile network operator’s public relations and corporate communications manager Stanley Chiyora said in an interview that despite the unceremonious end to their marriage with the Super League of Malawi (Sulom), they will explore other ways of supporting football and sports development in the country.
However, TNM has made its position plain that it will be difficult to partner Sulom in the future.
Said Chiyora: “Though TNM was committed to continuing the league sponsorship, the contract renewal discussions were ended by Sulom with no prior notice and with no show of gratitude for our generous and massive contribution last year and over the years.
“So, although TNM wishes to find other ways of sponsoring football elsewhere and at all levels, this breach of trust and public attack on our good name will make it difficult for us or indeed for any other sponsor to provide support for Sulom in the future.”
Nevertheless, TNM thanked all its stakeholders, including Sulom, clubs, players, fans and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) “for walking together over 19 years”.
A fortnight ago, Sulom unveiled FDH Bank plc as the flagship league’s new sponsor on a five-year K5 billion deal, ending the 19-year romance with TNM that had its ups and downs.
Sulom president Brigadier General Gilbert Mittawa yesterday declined to comment on the issue, saying they already made their position plain on the matter.
“At the moment, we are focusing on the new sponsorship and preparations for the 2026 season. Let the public be the ultimate judge and arbiter,” he said.
On his part, FAM president Fleetwood Haiya thanked TNM plc for its support towards the flagship league.
Posting on his Facebook page, the FAM boss said: “Eighteen years is not just a contract period, it is a lifetime of commitment, belief and professionalism. TNM stood with Malawian football through growth, challenges and transformation and for that, the football family remains deeply grateful.
“It is never easy to let go of something you have nurtured like a baby for nearly two decades. But as life teaches us, everything has its time and its expiry date not as an end, but as a transition.”
Haiya said in appreciation, they will offer TNM a commemorative cup, should they wish to remain within the football space.
“And let me say this clearly: if TNM chooses to stay in football, we will continue to give them value perhaps even more than before. Thank you TNM for the legacy. Thank you for the trust. The door to football remains open.”
TNM bailed out Sulom in 2006 with a then record K60 million sponsorship after the league had been without a sponsor for a season.
This was after push came to shove and government came in with a K10 million rescue package the previous season.
TNM’s sponsorship grew from K60 million in 2006 to K500 million per season by 2025.
Among other achievements, the investment stabilised the league and injected millions into the Malawian economy through club operations, matchday revenues, media coverage and job creation around the sport.
The sponsorship also contributed towards the Flames qualification for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after 26 years in the wilderness.
For the first time, the Under-17 Malawi National Football Team punched tickets to both the 2009 Under-17 Afcon and the 2009 Under-17 World Cup with the bulk of the players coming from the Super League.
During the TNM sponsorship period, the league also exported talent abroad, including Europe.
Winger Peter Banda and midfielder Francisco Madinga had stints with Eastern Europe countries, Moldova and Georgia’s top league sides, while defender Charles Petro currently plays in the Romanian Premiership after a spell in Moldova.
Former Flames attacker Robin Ngalande played for Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid’s reserve side after a stint with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Former Flames captains Limbikani Mzava and James Sangala and current captain Frank Gabadinho Mhango are the other players who made a notable impact in South Africa’s top flight league after being signed during the TNM Super League sponsorship era.
In an interview on Thursday, Mhango, who jointly won the South African golden boot alongside Namibian Peter Shalulile with 16 goals apiece in 2021, said as a player he benefitted from the sponsorship.
“I have read about TNM’s exit and when I left Malawi for South Africa to join Bloemfontein Celtic [from Bullets], they [TNM] were the sponsors of the top league and it is only fair to acknowledge that they contributed to my career path,” he said.
The league also attracted foreign talent in the likes of Genki Nakamura (Japan), Amos Bello (Nigeria) and Babatunde Adepoju (Nigeria) who has since changed his citizenship to Malawian Others are Lionel Atsu (Cameroon), Clyde Senaji (Kenya), Sama Thierry Tanjong (Cameroon) and Collin Mujuru (Zimbabwe).
Over the years, the league turned football into an impactful economic driver, supporting a wide range of local businesses and helped clubs to professionalise their structures, improve administration and strengthen financial management.
The league’s other notable feat was the introduction of E-ticketing, making it easier for fans to access games and for Sulom to account for ticket sales, reducing leakages and losses.
“The TNM Super League professionalised football in Malawi, nurtured talent, and gave Malawi unforgettable sporting moments,” Sulom further said in their statement.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing and TNM admitted that sustaining sponsorship growth from required significant corporate commitment amidst changing economic conditions had its oiwn challenges.
“TNM pioneered this breakthrough in massive increase in sponsorship, leading the way for others to offer these levels of sponsorship, all to the benefit of the league and its teams and players.
“Occasional administrative inefficiencies and disputes within football governance structures to ensure transparency and accountability also posed a challenge.
“Limited sports facilities and resources sometimes hindered the full potential of the league.”
There were also times when clubs got their prize money late, notably last season when it was deposited on the eve of the current season.
While Mighty Wanderers won the first and last titles under TNM sponsorship, Bullets won it seven times, which was the highest, followed by Silver Strikers, who won it six times.
