Sixteen months after its official opening, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Luwinga Inclusive Academy is already yielding tangible results, turning early promise into silverware and national team recognition.
Luwinga Ladies were crowned 2026 FAM Northern Region Women’s League champions with a game to spare, marking the academy’s first major trophy since its launch in December 2024 under FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme. Forward Rejoice Sulungwe was named Player of the Season after scoring 16 goals.
The academy’s impact has also been felt at national level, with 10 players selected in the Malawi Under-17 Women’s squad for the recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi.
On the international stage, Luwinga Academy finished fifth at the CAF U-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament held in Zimbabwe in December 2025—its first appearance in continental competition.
Rising defender Ongani Masamba (17) has earned a place in the Malawi Under-20 Women’s national team for the final round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria. The Young Scorchers will play the first leg away on 2 May, before hosting the return leg on 9 May at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
In the boys’ category, FCB Luwinga Boys finished second in the FCB Under-19 Mzuzu District League behind Nseteka FC, with Joel Yakobe emerging as Player of the Season after scoring 16 goals.
Five academy players—Elisha Nyirenda, Francis Mwale, Innocent Kim, Miracle Ndovie and Jazaka Amidu—have also been selected for the Regional 5 Games.
Luwinga Talent Coach Abdul Musawir expressed satisfaction with the progress made since his appointment six months ago.
“I have seen very positive progress of the Talent Development Scheme within the six months that I have been here as a mentor, and I am very proud of the direction we are heading in,” he said.
“I am very happy with this project, and the inclusion of our defender Ongani Masamba in the final Under-20 squad has motivated all of us here. This shows that the development process is working,” he added.
The academy’s rapid progress reflects FAM’s broader commitment to structured youth development through FIFA-supported programmes aimed at nurturing the next generation of football talent in Malawi.
