Update: The Malawi men's national football team, the Flames, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia in an international friendly match on Saturday, June 6. According to the Football Association of Malawi, Ethiopia secured the victory with a third-minute goal from Fitmus Tirahun at Dire Dawa International Stadium. On the same day, the Malawi women's national team, the Scorchers, wrapped up their two-match friendly series in Tanzania with a goalless draw at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam. According to FAM, head coach Lovemore Fazili stated the team controlled large parts of the match but failed to convert scoring chances, concluding a tour that began with a 1-0 loss earlier in the week.
In officiating news, Malawian FIFA referee Eness Gumbo has been selected as a Video Assistant Referee match official for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. According to Nation Online, Gumbo is the only Malawian referee chosen for the tournament. She will attend a mandatory preparatory course in Cairo, Egypt, in late June before the continental competition begins.
Meanwhile, the Government of Japan has donated 36 footballs to the Football Association of Malawi to support grassroots development programmes. According to a statement from FAM published on June 5, Japanese Ambassador Naito Yasushi presented the equipment to FAM President Fleetwood Haiya. The ambassador highlighted the donation as a symbol of bilateral relations, noting that this year marks 55 years since the Japan International Cooperation Agency began dispatching volunteers to Malawi.
In domestic league action, Namitete Zitha and Chilobwe United are scheduled to play the only NBS Bank National Division League match of the weekend on Sunday at Owen Malijani Stadium in Mchinji. Maravi Express reports that the Matchweek Three fixture was originally postponed following the recent death of Chilobwe United Technical Director Rodgers Yasin. Both teams will be looking for their first victory of the 2026 campaign to move out of the relegation zone.