Henry, Salima win big at Malawi FA awards

Al Merrikh SC new signing Chikumbutso Salima bagged the Best Men’s Player of the Year 2025 during the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Awards held on Friday to make it a double of honours. Deborah Henry scooped a simalar gong for women’s football.

The gala took place in Malawi commercial capital Blantyre to recognise the stand-out performers for the 2025 season for the FDH Premiership, then called TNM Super League, FDH Cup, Castel Challenge Cup and Airtel Top 8 in the Southern African nation.

Today is the day. 🏆

The best of Malawian football gather tonight for the FAM Awards 2026. ⚽

Let the celebrations begin.#FAMAwards #MalawiFootball pic.twitter.com/inSEgv6xaJ

— FA Malawi (@FaMalawi) March 6, 2026

During the ceremony, Salima added on to the TNM Super League Player of the Year recognition he won last month in absentia after leaving FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to join Al Merrikh SC. The initial accolade recognised the attacker’s contribution of 15 goals and 13 assists in the TNM Super League while playing for Bullets last season.

In a reaction via a recorded message from Rwanda where Al Merrikh are based, the Flames star said: “I would like to thank you all for the award. I would like to thank my team-mates and technical panel for Bullets for their support.”

Who else won the awards?

In other categories, Deborah Henry of Silver Strikers Ladies was named Women’s Player of the Year 2025 with Women’s Young Player of the Year accolade going to Sarah Mlimbika.

Henry emerged as the Golden Boot Award winner for the National Women’s League last season and instantly earned national team selection at the COSAFA Women’s Championship held in South Africa where she was among the leading scorers.

In other categories, Silver Strikers FC star Festus Duwe scooped Men’s Young Player of the Year while Mighty Wanderers mentor Bob Mpinganjira earned Men’s Coach of the Year crown after winning the FDH Premiership title last season.

Andrew Chikhosi of Strikers Ladies walked home with Women’s Coach of the Year gong. Youth Player Non-Elite of the Year recognition went to Chikondi Howa.

There was also recognition for referees with Happiness Mbandambanda claiming Best Assistant Referee of the Year as David Chinoko bagged Best Referee of the Year.