Update: Malawi national football team coach Kalisto Pasuwa has expanded his backroom staff by appointing two former Flames legends. According to Pan-Africa Football, Russel Mwafulirwa joins the squad as the new strikers coach, while Fischer Kondowe takes over as fitness coach, replacing Peter Mgangira. The appointments come as the Flames prepare for a four-nations tournament in Botswana scheduled for late March.
In football administration, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has requested a K600 million bailout from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Nation Online reports. FAM President Fleetwood Haiya stated that the funds are necessary to clear debts related to the national teams' foreign travel and accommodation expenses. The ministry has advised the association to submit a formal request through the Malawi National Council of Sports for Treasury consideration.
On the international stage, Scorchers forward Temwa Chawinga missed the Kansas City Current's opening match of the National Women's Soccer League season against the Utah Royals. According to Nation Online, head coach Chris Armas confirmed her absence stems from an ongoing recovery from an adductor injury she suffered last October. Armas noted that while she has returned to the training pitch, the club is managing her fitness carefully.
In local netball, the inaugural FDH Premier Netball League is nearing its conclusion with a highly anticipated clash between league leaders Blue Eagles and second-placed Kukoma Diamonds at the Civo Stadium Netball Court in Lilongwe. Nation Online reports that the Blue Eagles currently sit at the top of the 12-team table with 40 points from 20 straight wins. A victory for the police-backed side would secure the national title with a game to spare.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Under-19 Women's National Cricket Team has advanced to the next round of the International Cricket Council Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier. According to Nation Online, the team finished second in the five-nation Africa Division Two Qualifier in Uganda. Despite a 42-run defeat to Kenya in the final, the top-two finish guarantees Malawi a place in the next qualifying stage to be held in Tanzania later this year.