A high-level meeting aimed at reconciling Malawi’s fractured football administration descended into heated confrontation on Thursday when Sports Minister Alfred Gangata exchanged biting words with Football Association of Malawi (Fam) executive member, Patrick Kapanga over governance disputes.
The clash between the two highlighted deep rifts within the country’s football fraternity, even as officials claimed the meeting achieved consensus on moving forward.
The meeting, held in Lilongwe, was the second convening aimed at narrowing longstanding divisions between Fam, the National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) and the Super League of Malawi (Sulom).
Gangata had originally summoned the parties the previous Wednesday after the 2026 FDH Bank Premiership launch was postponed at Kamuzu Stadium when Fam and Sulom failed to agree on hosting arrangements but the meeting was not concluded after five hours and they agreed to meet again on Thursday, May 28.
But it was a hot meeting. At the heart of the dispute lies what the minister characterised as the systematic sidelining of the NWFA from administrative decisions affecting women’s football, including national team assignments.
– Advertisement –
Source privy to the details of the meeting told Malawi News Sport that Gangata specifically accused Fam of excluding NWFA Chairperson Adellaide Migogo, allegedly because of her political alignment with the previous Fam leadership.
Fam President Fleetwood Haiya rejected the allegation, asserting that the women’s association maintains regular involvement in all football activities.
Several Women’s Football association members present corroborated Haiya’s position, noting that women working alongside him have consistently participated in women’s football activities and team travel.
Tensions escalated when Kapanga confronted the minister directly, claiming government was unfairly promoting Migogo’s influence.
– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –
“The ministry is pushing [for] Adellaide Migogo and that is what the government wants,” Kapanga allegedly stated.
The exchange grew increasingly personal.
When Gangata objected to Kapanga’s tone, the Fam executive member fired back, grieving his own exclusion from previous discussions.
“Last week, you did not give me time to speak, and, today, you are also preventing me from speaking. But everything Adellaide [Migogo] says, you accept,” Kapanga reportedly countered.
The confrontation escalated further when Gangata questioned Kapanga’s political affiliations with the Malawi Congress Party.
Kapanga responded defiantly: “You are not my minister, and you are even new to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.”
Kapanga was eventually removed from the meeting following intervention by Malawi National Council of Sports Board Chairperson Jim Kalua, and other attendees.
Beyond the women’s association dispute, tensions erupted between Sulom and Fam leadership.
Sulom Treasurer Alie Mwachande criticized Fam’s administration, accusing them of betrayal for obstructing the premiership launch despite previous cooperation.