Malawi: Wanderers boss introduces sanctions on players

Mighty Wanderers FC president Thomson Mpinganjira, who is considered among the richest persons in Malawi, has warned senior players who refuse to take penalties during games that they risk being penalties, including forfeiting game bonuses.

The business magnate issued the warning during the 2025 TNM Super League champions’ in-house Presidential Ball Awards to honour outstanding players for the senior, youth and junior teams. The league is now called FDH Premiership.

 

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In official speech at the ceremony held in the commercial capital Blantyre on Sunday, the FDH Bank Limited founder urged senior players to take responsibility, including when it comes to taking penalties.

Wanderers president Mpinganjira takes stance on penalties

The club president said the tendency of senior players chickening out from leading by example when it comes to taking penalties will not be tolerated in the 2026 season. Mpinganjira addressed the players and coaches Bob Mpinganjira and his deputy MacDonald ‘Nginde’ Mtetemera directly. Bob Mpinganjira is not related to the club president.

“Bob and Nginde, you said senior players refuse to take penalties? They must just learn and practice to take penalties,” the club’s main sponsor said.

“Going forward, all players who refuse to take penalties will not be receiving game bonuses for the next two consecutive games. I don’t want to hear that again. CEO [Panganeni Ndovi] do you hear me? It should be part of our policy.”

How poor penalties denied Wanderers treble last season

Last season, Wanderers nearly won three trophies, but they only bagged the TNM Super League title while missing out on the Castel Challenge Cup and FDH Cup after losing to Ekwendeni City Hammers FC and Silver Strikers respectively, both on post-match penalties.

On November 9, 2025, Strikers beat the Nomads 5-4 on post-match penalties to lift the FDH Cup at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. Wanderers players were visibly nervous when taking the spot kicks.

Wanderers converted their attempts through Isaac Kaliyati, Singini, Clement Nyondo and Emmanuel Nyirenda while Stanley Sanudi fired wide before Striker’s keeper George Chikooka stopped Charles Chipala, Peter Cholopi, Masiya Manda and Timothy Silwimba’s efforts for Wanderers.

Silver converted their attempts through Paipi, Innocent Shema, Binwell Katinji, Chinsinsi Maonga and Nickson Mwase while Khungwa saved Emmanuel Allan, Macdonald Lameck, Charles Chipala and Chikooka’s attempts.

In the second game, relegated Ekwendeni Hammers FC dumped the Nomads out of the Castel Challenge Cup with a 5-3 post-match quarterfinal victory at Rumphi Stadium on February 2, 2026.