Festus ‘Duweing’ it at Silver — By far, he is the man: How he finds it easy

When Festus Duwe stepped onto the pitch for Silver Strikers in the opening match of the 2025 TNM Super League season at Bingu National Stadium, his presence alone sparked a wave of expectation.

The former Ascent Academy star, already touted for his technical brilliance and footballing IQ, immediately drew nods of approval. For many fans, it was clear: if Duwe stays fit, he must start every game. Two months into the season, that belief has aged perfectly.

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Duwe has made himself undroppable at Silver Strikers. The 22-year-old midfield dynamo has netted six goals in just eight matches, making him the club’s top scorer this campaign.

He leads ahead of the likes of Chinsinsi Maonga, Chimwemwe Idana, and Stain Davie, who have each contributed two goals apiece. But Duwe’s journey to becoming the Bankers’ main man hasn’t been overnight.

Last season, Duwe was loaned out to Civil Service United where he didn’t just adapt — he exploded. His flair, composure on the ball, and eye for goal made him one of the standout players in the league. It was at Civil that he famously netted the fastest hat-trick in TNM Super League history — scoring three goals in just 11 minutes — a record that catapulted him into national recognition.

Civil Service United understandably made efforts to secure him on a permanent deal. But they weren’t alone. Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers both launched aggressive pursuits for his signature. In the end, the Central Bankers triumphed, and with the benefit of hindsight, it’s hard to argue Duwe made anything but the right choice.

Adaptable Duwe: How he fits into Silver’s already-made team

Silver Strikers are not just any team — they’re the defending champions and arguably the most tactically disciplined side in the TNM Super League. They entered the 2025 season with a settled squad, making only minimal signings. Most of their new arrivals are still fighting for minutes, yet Duwe has become a permanent fixture in the starting XI.
Naturally a number 10, Duwe was well aware of the challenge ahead.

Silver already had a highly functional midfield unit featuring Chikondi Kamanga, Chimwemwe Idana, and Uchizi Vunga. But Duwe’s biggest strength is his adaptability. He didn’t try to displace anyone — he redefined his role.

“I am happy to be here and I want to thank the team for putting trust in me. I would like to return the faith that the team has put in me by being committed to achieve whatever is at stake. I am so happy to join the team,” said Duwe when he was signing for the team in January.

Peter Mgangira, Silver’s head coach, has crafted a fluid 4-4-2 diamond system that is mostly depending on Duwe and Maonga’s position interchanging. Duwe has thrived in this structure. Though he plays as a winger on paper, he functions more as an inverted wide midfielder — cutting in to overload the midfield and link play while still offering a goal threat.

Whether deployed from the left or right flank, or even tucked just behind the strikers, Duwe’s pace, dribbling skill, and sharp instincts around the box make him a nightmare for defenders. He doesn’t just complement Silver’s attack — he amplifies it.

He won the Player of the month of April and he has also been nominated for this month’s accolade. He has had another outstanding month, winning the Man of the Match award in the league match against Songwe Border United, where he scored a brace.

He repeated this achievement against Moyale Barracks in the 2025 Airtel Top 8 Quarterfinal second leg at Rumphi Stadium, scoring another brace and earning the Dolo Wa Match award. The number 66 started in all of the team’s May fixtures.

For this month’s accolade, Duwe faces competition from Captain Maxwell Paipi and Chinsinsi Maonga who have also been outstanding this campaign.

With six goals already, Duwe is not just leading Silver’s scoring charts; he’s also becoming one of the most talked-about names in Malawian. There was growing hope that he would be part of Malawi’s squad for the upcoming COSAFA Cup in South Africa — a perfect platform for him to showcase his talent on the regional stage.

Unfortunately, Duwe is not on the list of players boarding the plane to Durban. It’s a snub that has raised eyebrows. If form was the metric, Duwe would be one of the first names on the team sheet. But while the national selectors may have overlooked him for now, his moment will come. At this rate, it’s inevitable.