Malawi: Silver Strikers lose key defender Paipi

Former Malawi’s TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers have lost yet another important member of their squad.

Defender Maxwell Paipi has parted ways with the Lilongwe-based giants, a day after winger Duncan Nyoni also exited the team.

In a statement, Silver Strikers fell short of hinting on the next destination of the Malawian international Paipi, but acknowledged his contribution to the team.

“Silver Strikers Company Limited would like to bid farewell to Maxwell Paipi who has left the club after the expiry of his contract,” the club’s statement reads. “Silver Strikers Company Limited wishes Paipi all the success in his future endeavours.”

How did Paipi find himself at Silver Strikers?

Paipi was a regular for Silver Strikers as they won the FDH Cup, finished third in the TNM Super League and reached the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.

The Malawian international earned promotion from the reserve team to the senior squad in 2017.

His eight-year stay at the club was hugely successful as he was part of the squad that won the 2019 Airtel Top 8, 2021 FDH Cup, 2024 Charity Shield and 2024 TNM Super League title. His partnership with Macdonald Lameck helped stabilise Silver Strikers’ defence.

Paipi should not be short of potential suitors with local giants FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers in need of quality defenders. Teams in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, the current hottest destination for Malawian players, should also be the other option for the centre-based. Reports suggest that FC Platinum of Zimbabwe are among the Flames defender’s suitors.