Football fans will wait a little longer to don Malawi National Football Team’s Admiral replica jerseys as they are yet to hit the market, Times Sport has learnt.
This comes five months after Football Association of Malawi (Fam) signed a partnership with new technical sponsor Admiral in March this year.
The delay means the association will miss the chance to sell the replica jerseys ahead of two upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Namibia’s Brave Warriors and Liberia’s Lone Stars next month.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka asked for ample time before he could comment on what has led to the delay.
“I will be able to provide information this week, probably by Wednesday,” he said.
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This could lead to a drop in the association’s merchandise sales.
In 2024, Fam merchandise sales dropped by 81 percent after the association generated K52.2 million from Flames replica jerseys, having pocketed K280.1 million in 2023.
Fam is projecting to generate K370 million from Flames replica jersey sales this year, according to a budget document we have seen.
Fam President Fleetwood Haiya was yet to respond to our questionnaire at press time but football analyst Parry Chinyama said the absence of replica jerseys was an issue of concern.
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“One wonders why Fam is failing to furnish the soccer fraternity with a true position on the jerseys. I feel, in my opinion, that this has to do with logistical challenges. It would be better if the nation was told through a press statement from Fam,” he said.
As of July 30, 2025, Fam was still selling Moto brand jerseys. However, the Flames and Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, have already started wearing the new jerseys.
The Flames started using the new jerseys in March during the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Namibia, which they lost 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Scorchers used the new kit during their recent friendly matches against Morocco and Ghana in Casablanca, Morocco.
In March, Fam signed a two-year contract worth K200 million per year with Admiral.
Through the agreement, Admiral will be providing national football teams’ jerseys, replica jerseys for fans and a range of apparel such as caps, tracksuits, golf shirts, bags and other items in different categories.
