Regional league: Chipiku Stores, CRFA honor league champions, Eagles

By Edwin Mbewe…….

The central region football governing body (CRFA) in conjunction with Chipiku Stores, the sponsor of the premier division league on Wednesday, 19th February 2025 honored the 2024 season Champions, Blue Eagles FC and other splendid performers at a colourful event held at the Malawi Police Service national headquarters in Lilongwe.

The long awaited event, which has for several occasions been rescheduled, excited the teams and they wore shinny faces as the director of ceremony Bright Kanyama cracked some jokes to keep the event alive.

Blue Eagles were crowned champions following their superb and an extraordinary performance, winning the league undefeated in 36 games. Winning the league didn’t only excite the Policemen but also qualified them back into the Malawi’s elite league in which they got relegated in the 2023 season.

The cops received MK5.2 million, trophy and gold medals for being champions and runners -up Villa FC from Mchinji who had a grant season took home mk1.2 million and medals, third placed Mitundu Baptist received MK800,000, Namitete Zitha FC took home the sum of MK700,000 and Extreme FC who finished on position 5 went home with MK550,000.

In individual awards, Eagle’s defender, Maxwell Gustavo scooped player of the season accolade, Kondwani Lungu of Villa FC won top goal scorer with 15 goals, the best technical panel went to the Champions, Blue Eagles FC led by Eliah Kananji.

Best assistant referee is Richard Kamchedzera while second assistant referee award is Eric Sinsamala and the best centre referee accolade went to Hendrix Aliponda.

In media awards, Bright Lunda won the best online reporter award, seconded by Edwin Mbewe of the Maravipost. Best Community Radio presenter award went to Johnny Palichesi jnr of Mudziwathu radio and Wilson Phiri of Yetu came second. Best print – Iman Wali of Daily Times seconded by Frankie Chitalu Kalilombe of Nation News paper while Sam Banda of ZBS won the best in electronic category.

The Football Association first vice President, Madalitso Kuyera hailed CRFA for producing the Champion on merit. He added that, as FAM they are aware the challenges teams are facing in as far as sponsorship is concerned hence. promised to capacitate the teams and regional body’s on how they can secure sponsorships.

In his remarks, CRFA Chairperson, Goodall Chinjoka expressed his gratitude for finally having presented the prizes to the teams.

“We are very happy as CRFA that the league was ran professionally with no hooliganism and violence. Ahead of the new season we are also hoping to have a successful one more than this. Indeed we discussed with Chipiku Stores ours sponsor to consider increasing the package as cost of living has also gone up”, Chinjoka said.

Chipiku Stores regional administrator, Brown Victor Mkangama also expressed satisfactory on how the 2024 season has been managed.

” We are happy the league went on well though there were some other few challenges which we quickly came up together to address them. Our core aim in sponsoring the league was to see to it that grassroot football is developed and local talent is nurtured. Indeed CRFA presented the budget to us and the management will soon announce it’s decision on the same”, explained Mkangama.

Blue Eagles FC returned to TNM Super league for being champions while Villa, Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha will play in the National Division League which is set to start this year.