Exciting developments are unfolding in Malawian football, with reports emerging that FCB Nyasa Big Bullets captain Lloyd Aaron is close to securing a move to Qatar.
Aaron’s consistent performances and leadership qualities have earned him recognition beyond Malawi’s borders.
As captain of the Bullets, he has been instrumental in the team’s success, leading them to numerous victories and cementing his reputation as one of the country’s top players.
Lloyd Aaron
The Airtel Top 8 final, where Aaron led the Bullets to victory over Silver Strikers, attracted international attention. The match was a showcase of Malawi’s football talent, with Aaron’s impressive performance drawing praise from fans and pundits alike.
Durban City technical director Ernest Middendorp was spotted scouting talent from the Bullets squad during the Airtel Top 8 final. This move highlights the growing interest in Malawian football talent, with international clubs and coaches taking notice of the country’s top players.
Meanwhile, defender Blessings Mpokera’s impressive performances in the COSAFA tournament have drawn interest from South African clubs.
Mpokera’s skill and determination on the pitch have made him a standout player, and his potential move to South Africa could be a significant boost for Malawian football.
First Capital Bank (FCB) has announced a reward of 500,000 Kwacha for each FCB Nyasa Big Bullets player following the team’s victory in the Airtel Top 8 tournament.
Twikale Chirwa, the bank’s Head of Marketing, said the reward is meant to encourage the players to remain focused and competitive in the league and other tournaments this season.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets secured the Airtel Top 8 title after defeating Silver Strikers 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
This is the fourth time the team has won the trophy since its inception in 2017, having previously claimed victory in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
This press review highlights the top stories reported by 247 Malawi from Sunday, 13 July to Saturday, 19 July 2025, capturing the political, economic, and social narratives that shaped the nation during this critical pre-election period.
President Lazarus Chakwera officially launched the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 2025 manifesto on July 19 at Bingu National Stadium, outlining a five-point agenda focusing on food security, job creation, governance reform, public service delivery, and systemic transformation.
The launch event, attended by thousands of party supporters, underscored the MCP’s commitment to continuity and development, with Chakwera pledging to build on successes such as job creation, mega farms, and initiatives to protect vulnerable groups.
Key promises included transforming the National Economic Empowerment Fund into a bank, introducing direct mayoral elections, and creating a savings scheme for unborn children aimed at breaking cycles of poverty.
As the campaign season intensifies ahead of the September 16 elections, the MCP’s manifesto is expected to become a central tool for mobilizing voters across the country.
On the economic front, Chakwera addressed the Reserve Bank of Malawi’s 60th anniversary on July 18, vowing to restore the institution’s integrity after past scandals and outlining reforms to strengthen its resilience against economic shocks.
Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda and RBM Governor McDonald Mafuta Mwale emphasized stability and sustainable growth, with the central bank’s reforms seen as crucial to managing forex challenges and inflation.
Malawi’s inflation rate eased to 27.1% in June, its fourth consecutive monthly decline, offering hope of relief for households struggling with high living costs, particularly driven by falling food inflation.
FDH Bank Plc emerged as the highest-valued company on the Malawi Stock Exchange, closing the week with a market capitalization of K3.2 trillion and reporting strong profit growth, signaling investor confidence in the financial sector.
In consumer banking, Ecobank Malawi launched a digital campaign titled “A Better Way to Transact and Win Your Share of K24 Million,” awarding its first prize of K1 million to promote digital transactions.
Judicial milestones included a landmark Constitutional Court ruling on July 17 that declared criminal defamation unconstitutional, marking a victory for freedom of expression and aligning Malawi with international norms.
Political dynamics also intensified as former Vice President Everton Chimulirenji defected from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to UTM, highlighting internal rifts within the opposition.
The Malawi Electoral Commission met with civil society leaders to strategize on voter education and violence prevention, while MCP and UTM ramped up rallies and candidate certifications to demonstrate readiness for the polls.
The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions concluded a three-day leadership training workshop focused on integrating gender and anti-harassment clauses in collective bargaining agreements, underscoring progress on workers’ rights.
The creative economy gained attention when Minister Vera Kamtukule encouraged youth to develop local-language digital content, positioning cultural exports as tools for economic growth and tourism.
In sports, the Confederation of African Football excluded Malawian referees from the upcoming CHAN 2025 tournament, sparking debate on officiating standards, while the Super League of Malawi disciplined clubs and players for recent misconduct.
The week’s stories painted a picture of a nation balancing governance reforms, economic signals, and electoral mobilization as it heads towards a critical election season.
A devastating fire broke out at the Engen Filling Station in Mangochi district last night, destroying two vehicles and causing significant damage to the station’s roof.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started when a Toyota Corolla ignited while being refueled, possibly due to the owner smoking near the pump.
The station’s manager, Ibrahim Michongwe, confirmed the incident, stating that the pump attendant on duty alerted him to the blaze.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, thanks to the quick response of the surrounding community, who helped push the burning car away from the pump area.
However, the Toyota Corolla and a nearby 4-tonne Hino Ranger lorry were completely destroyed in the fire.
The incident highlights the importance of adhering to safety protocols when refueling vehicles.
Smoking near fuel pumps can be extremely hazardous, as petrol is highly flammable.
The Engen Filling Station has partly damaged its roof, and the management will need to assess the extent of the damage and undertake repairs to ensure the station’s safe operation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with fueling stations and the need for vigilance and caution when handling flammable substances.
In a thrilling match at Kamuzu Stadium, Ekhaya FC secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Moyale Barracks, reclaiming third position in the TNM Super League standings. The win sees Ekhaya FC move to 23 points from seven wins.
James Lumbe opened the scoring for Ekhaya FC in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a brilliant pass from Christopher Gototo inside the box.
Lumbe expertly collected the ball after Lovemore Mbeta’s shot was blocked, showcasing his clinical finishing skills.
The second half saw Moyale Barracks push hard for an equalizer, but Ekhaya FC’s defense held strong. The visitors’ woes deepened when substitute Matamando Mwatchipisa doubled Ekhaya FC’s lead in the 76th minute.
Mwatchipisa’s left-footed shot into the left corner, courtesy of Safton Chintokoma’s precise pass, sent the Ekhaya FC fans into raptures.
Alick Lungu, donning the captain’s armband, sealed the win with a stunning thunderbolt strike from outside the box in extra time.
The goal was the icing on the cake for Ekhaya FC, who dominated the match from start to finish.
The win propels Ekhaya FC into a strong position in the league, and fans will be eagerly anticipating their next match.
With the current form of the team, they might pose a significant threat to the top two teams in the league.
