There was a time when top South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) big teams had a Malawian player within their ranks.
These football exports were regulars at their respective teams in the Rainbow Nation.
But, suddenly, the door for Malawian players in PSL seems to have closed.
Every season, the number of Malawian players in the PSL continues to shrink.
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At present, Moroka Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango is the only registered Malawian in the DStv Premiership— a league which used to be home to Malawian players.
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Of course, Khuda Muyaba has just clinched a short-term deal with Richards Bay.
One of the advantages of the PSL to Malawians was that it used to be a pathway for local players to Europe.
However, Malawi News Sport has established that lack of proper player development plans, poor connection with those with direct links to foreign clubs and poor football systems are some of the contributing factors to the drastic decline of Malawian players in PSL.
In the early 80s, the country had several players who were plying their trade with South African top teams.
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Teams such as Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Bloemfontein Celtic now (disbanded) and Jomo Cosmos (now amateur club) used to scramble for Malawi’s talent.
There are many examples of Malawian players who have graced the PSL and made names, notably Ernest Mtawali, the late Jack Chamangwana, Patrick Mabedi, John Maduka, Russel
Mwafulirwa, Esau Kanyenda and Chancy Gondwe.
It is not surprising that some of the Malawians, notably Mabedi and Maduka, ventured into coaching after hanging up their boots.
Mabedi, now Flames coach, rose from the position of Chiefs captain to coach.
In addition, Maduka, who also played for Umtata Bush Bucks before joining Celtic, had a successful football career.
Maduka, now at Royal Am, is one of the highly respected foreign coaches in the PSL.
In those days, Cosmos, now an amateur club, was one of the South African clubs that had unquenchable appetite for Malawian players.
For starters, some of the Malawian stars that played for Cosmos are Kanyenda, Micium Mhone, Mwafulirwa, Peter Mgangira, Jones Nkhwazi, Siliati Maganga, Mathews Phiri, Frank Sinalo, Clifton Msiya, Konex Kalembo, Meck Mwase and Davie Maleta.
Cosmos opened doors for many Malawian players, some of whom went to Europe.
Kanyenda and Mwafulirwa are shining examples of local players who trekked to Europe straight from the PSL.
Then, Kanyenda went on to write his own piece of history when he played in the Uefa Champions League while with Locomotive Moscow.
But foreign clubs slowly started losing appetite for Malawian players around 2014.
In the 2011-12 season, Malawi had 16 players in the PSL, among them Robert Ng’ambi, Joseph Kamwendo, Bernard Harawa, Chiukepo Msowoya, Peter Mponda, Grant Lungu, Jimmy Zakazaka, Harry Nyirenda and Moses Chavula.
The following season, Malawi had 11 registered players in the PSL.
Fast forward to January 20 2024, the number of Malawian players in the South African DStv Premiership has drastically been reduced to two – a situation analysts have described it as worrisome.
For two consecutive seasons, Mhango was the only Malawian playing in the DStv Premiership.
Muyaba is yet to make his debut for his new club.
The number of Malawian players has dropped from four players in the 2021 season to the current number.
Flames captain Limbikani Mzava was released at Amazulu at the start of the 2022 season and has been without a club for two years now.
In the same year (2022), striker Richard Mbulu kissed goodbye to the DStv Premiership after Baroka FC were relegated from the league— ending his three-year stint in the PSL.
During the same year, midfielder Gerald Phiri Junior then swapped Baroka for Sudanese giants Al Hilal.
However, following civil unrest there, Phiri Junior has been hunting for a club for six months now— after mutually terminating the contract with Hilal.
Whereas Mhango has been the only survivor in the PSL, Rafik Namwera and Flames first choice goalkeeper Brighton Munthali (both with Black Leopards) are the only players in the second-tier league in South Africa.
Dennis Chembezi was released at Polokwane City at the end of his contract.
However, Chembezi has found a new home at Al–Qassim of Iraq.
On the other hand, Mike Mkwate fell down the pecking order at Polokwane as he was released after one season.
During the last international transfer window, Peter Banda was released from Simba SC of Tanzania whereas Francisco Madinga was also surplus to requirement at Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy.
Banda was considered as the next big thing in Malawi football after he moved to Tiraspol Sherrif of Moldova on a six-month loan deal from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in February 2021.
However, six months later, Peter— son to former Bata Bullets icon the late Chikondi Banda— returned to Africa, where he joined Simba on a three-year deal.
Banda is trying to force his way back to Tanzania.
As for Madinga, he moved to Georgian top flight side Dila Gori on a two-year contract in 2020.
But, after just two years, he returned to Africa.
Both Banda and Madinga are back at Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, respectively.
Charles Petro is the longest serving Malawian player in Europe, having joined Tiraspol in 2020.
However, he moved to Romanian club Bottosani FC early this year.
Kieran Ngwenya plays for Scottish Championship club Partick Thirstle on loan from Aberdeen.
Ngwenya is a Malawian who has grown up in Scotland, such that he never played in the domestic [Malawi] top flight league.
After finding it difficult to fight for space in PSL, Malawian players have found a new home in Mozambique.
Malawi had eight registered players in the Mocambola League in the just-ended season. These are John Banda, Mbulu, Yamikani Chester, Chikoti Chirwa, Lloyd Njaliwa, Paul Kamsungwi, Bashir Maunde and Aubrey Maloya.
Since last year, Malawian players have been finding a new home in Zambian league.
Chawanangwa Kaonga joined Zanaco FC, with compatriot Robert Saizi on the verge of joining the same club.
Domestic League found wanting
For a long time, some Malawian players have failed to live up to expectations when they join foreign clubs.
This has led to debate that the domestic league has not produced enough quality.
Some say this reflects lack of competitiveness in the TNM Super League compared to other leagues in the region.
There are so many examples of how local top players have struggled to replicate their form in foreign leagues.
Muyaba moved to Polokwane after winning the TNM Super League golden boot award with 21 goals.
However, he failed to replicate his from in his debut season.
In his second season, he scored 14 goals in the second-tier league in the Rainbow Nation.
Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju, who wreaked havoc in the domestic league, struggled at Venda Academy FC after scoring three goals in 18 matches.
Former Flames defender James Sangala believes that there are many factors that have led to the struggle of Malawian players abroad.
Among other things, Sangala pointed at lack of exposure, poor coaching standards and lack of a players’ development plan.
“We do not participate in international tournaments enough at all levels. Our counterparts, notably Zambia, participate in as many tournaments as possible all levels. We also did not market our players enough.
“Of course, we have seen an improvement in the televised matches. What we need is to build on it, in terms of quality and quantity. These days’ scouts rely on multiple platforms to look for data for players, and such platforms include video clips for the purpose of analysis,” Sangala said.
According to Sangala, the country should strive to increase the number of qualified coaches to nurture talent.
“The player development plan will also offer guidance on how to come up with vibrant youth football development programmes; programmes that have meaningful activities and pathways.
“We are talking of programmes which will be able to usher quality young talent into elite football. We also need to improve the existing age-specific playing format for youth football by making it clear as well as linking it to the senior game and international football,” he said.
Flames legend Mtawali, who had a successful career, agreed with Sangala.
He said the country has not done enough to market its products.
“It is a very sad situation for Malawi football. I think there is something we are not doing right, in terms of development of players. Malawi has a lot of talent and potential but we need to sell our products,” Mtawali said.
In addition, Mtawali said the current crop of players lacks a fighting spirit.
“As a player, I was never satisfied. I had hunger to do more all the time. It is also about mindset of the players; they need to have ambition and dream of playing for big clubs abroad,” he said.
But the future of football is always thrown into chaos when wrong people are selected for coaching training.
According to our findings, Fam has, over the years, trained wrong coaches, ignoring people that have interest in the game.
To date, Malawi has 46 Confederation of African (Caf) A coaching licence holders, 29 Caf B licence holders and 125 Caf C licence holders.
While the 46 coaches scramble for 16 TNM Super League teams, the majority of them are unemployed or have failed to perform according to expectations when given a chance.
Again, while there are plenty of trained coaches, three teams— namely Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers— have appetite for foreign coaches.
Bullets have Kalisto Pasuwa from Zimbabwe whereas Silver have Pieter de Jongh from Holland.
Wanderers had Englishman Mark Harrison, who resigned recently.
This is a clear indication that, over the years, the country has invested knowledge in the wrong people.
Some analysts say that for a country to produce quality players, there is a need to have qualified coaches.
It has also been observed that most of the players in domestic football lack basic skills.
It becomes difficult for players who miss proper nurturing at a tender age to improve at elite level.
Sports analyst Kelvin Moyo said the country lags behind, when it comes to producing quality coaches.
“We have not done enough to produce quality and youth-oriented coaches who are a catalyst for grassroots football development as they impart basics in young footballers,” Moyo said.
On top of that, Moyo said the country has failed to network with youth development clubs and scouts from Europe, who can open up markets for Malawian players.
“In the 80s, we had Belgium national Patrick Hughes who was instrumental in the export of the first Malawian player to play in Europe, namely Kennedy Malunga, and his brother Holman. He was also involved in the trials of Young Chimodzi and Lawrence Waya in Belgium,” Moyo recollected
