SULOM President Mittawa Hails Competitive TNM Super League, Admits Operational Gaps

Super League of Malawi (SULOM) president Brigadier General Gilbert Mittawa has described the 2025 TNM Super League season as largely successful, citing improved publicity, increased competitiveness and a significant reduction in misconduct and violence, while acknowledging that several operational challenges remain unresolved.

Speaking to the press after Mighty Wanderers’ match against Kamuzu Barracks at Bingu National Stadium on the final day of the season, Mittawa said the heightened competition is a positive sign for Malawian football’s development.

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“We can all testify that this has been one of those leagues where teams were stretched to their limits. We didn’t know who would clinch the title until the penultimate match day. That alone shows we are achieving our dream of reviving, reforming and rebranding our league,” said Mittawa.

He pointed to the distribution of titles over the past three seasons as evidence of improved competition and preparation among clubs.

“The competitiveness has reached a level where no single team has dominated the league for three consecutive seasons. That tells us teams are doing a commendable job in their preparations,” he said.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets won the league in 2023, Silver Strikers lifted the title in 2024, while Mighty Wanderers emerged as champions in 2025.

In a lighthearted Facebook post on Saturday night, Mittawa remarked, “The beatings will continue until morale improves,” underscoring management’s determination to continue raising standards.

Mittawa extended SULOM’s gratitude to league sponsors TNM, the Government of Malawi, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), clubs, supporters and all stakeholders for contributing to the successful campaign.

TNM Marketing Director Sobhuza Ngwenya expressed satisfaction with the season’s progression from its April kickoff to its December 27 conclusion, highlighting the peaceful atmosphere at matches as a key achievement.

“Football is a platform where people and families go to be entertained. We are impressed because there were no rampant reports of violence. Families hesitate to attend games when there’s violence, but this season has been very peaceful. For that, we are grateful to SULOM for organizing a wonderful season,” said Ngwenya.

Ngwenya confirmed that TNM, which has sponsored the league for 17 years, is nearing the end of its current three-year agreement.

“We are in the final year of our current deal. We will soon sit down to discuss the way forward. We believe we are not leaving—as our slogan says, ‘Always with you.’ Everything else will be communicated in due course,” he said.

Government to Re-engage on E-Ticketing

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskies praised the league’s progress and revealed that government plans to re-engage stakeholders on fully implementing Mpamba debit cards for ticket purchases at TNM Super League matches.

“Our ministry and stakeholders need to sit down and examine this issue. We need to identify the loopholes and causes of resistance to using the debit card. Government will invite stakeholders to a round-table conference to discuss the way forward and ensure users are comfortable with the product,” said Wiskies.

The Mpamba e-ticketing initiative previously attracted intervention from the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), which determined that enforcing Mpamba as the sole payment method risked limiting consumer choice and undermining competition.

While acknowledging the system was an efficient innovation aimed at curbing gate fraud, the Commission ruled its exclusive use was anti-competitive and potentially breached Malawi’s payment systems regulations, which emphasize interoperability.

Consequently, the CFTC ordered a transitional dual-payment system allowing both Mpamba e-ticketing and traditional ticketing, directed that the platform be opened to other payment service providers, and required extensive public awareness campaigns and regular compliance reporting to ensure fair access.

Despite the season’s successes, several challenges remained. Fixture congestion caused by overlaps with local cup competitions, international assignments and FIFA breaks continued to disrupt the calendar. Matches were postponed whenever the Flames were on national duty, while Silver Strikers spent extended periods with games in hand due to their CAF Champions League involvement.

Questions were also raised about fixture arrangements, particularly the fact that champions Mighty Wanderers played their final five matches at home.

Responding to the criticism, Mittawa acknowledged the shortcomings but emphasized that the current SULOM administration is still developing.

“We will keep growing by improving our operations gradually. A baby cannot be forced to walk before it learns to stand,” he said.

“We have already made strides and we are proud of that. We have moved from a time when fixtures could be pulled from someone’s pocket to having a clear strategy and direction.”

As the curtain falls on the 2025 season, financial rewards will reflect performances on and off the pitch. Champions Mighty Wanderers are set to pocket K100 million, while runners-up FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will receive K40 million. Third-placed Silver Strikers will earn K30 million.

Additional incentives include K4 million for the Most Improved Team and K1 million for Disciplined Supporters, alongside individual awards: K3 million for the Best Player, K2 million for the Top Scorer, and K1 million each for the Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Best Goalkeeper, Best Rookie and Best Coach. The four best referees will each receive K300,000.

However, this breakdown remains subject to change, as it is based on last season’s reward structure.

On the individual honours front, Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa claimed the Golden Glove award after keeping 17 clean sheets and anchoring the league’s most resolute defence, which conceded just 14 goals.

Meanwhile, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets striker Babatunde Adepoju and midfielder Chikumbutso Salima shared the Golden Boot after finishing with 15 goals apiece, helping their team score 60 goals—more than any other side this campaign.