Temwa and coach Chombo-Sadiki at the WAfCON Morocco 2026
* Includes former CHESSAM president Susan Namangale, FAM executive member Felister Dossi, Sport for Development founder Chimwemwe Ishmael Banda, NAM president Vitumbiko Gubuduza and journalist Lucy Kadzongwe
* In the category of ‘Athlete Excellence & Performance’, Temwa is nominated alongside Zambia’s Barbra Banda, Nigeria’s women football legend Asisat Oshoala and 8 others
* The voting process is open through the link; https://50mia.podiumpursuit.africa/#vote, which closes on November 2026
By Duncan Mlanjira
One of Malawi’s most celebrated women football players, Temwa Chawinga, who is currently the most decorated women football player in Africa, has been nominated for the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports 2026.
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There are six other Malawians nominated in other categories that include coach Maggie Chombo-Sadiki; former Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM) president, Susan Namangale, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Felister Dossi; Sport for Development founder, Chimwemwe Ishmael Banda; Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Vitumbiko Gubuduza and journalist Lucy Kadzongwe.
The voting process is open through the link; https://50mia.podiumpursuit.africa/#vote, which closes on November 2026, and the winners will be announced on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
In the category of ‘Athlete Excellence & Performance’, Temwa is nominated alongside two other women football internationals, Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Nigeria’s women football legend Asisat Oshoala and eight others.
Barbra Banda and Asisat Oshoala
Temwa’s résumé recognises that she is an outstanding and prolific footballer, widely regarded as the most decorated women football player in Africa.
“She plays as a striker for Kansas City in the United States and captains Malawi’s national team, the Scorchers. Her exceptional talent, consistency and impact continue to elevate African women’s football on the global stage.”
The key achievements and impact for voter’s consideration include:
1. Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 Golden Boot;
2. Top goal scorer at US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club, Kansas City Current;
3. Nominated for the second time for the Ballon d’Or;
4. An excellent role model for the girl child in Malawi; and
5. National impact — brought extreme joy and happiness to the nation during the WAfCON 2026 and continues to inspire a new generation of African girls in football.
“Temwa is currently the most decorated women football player in Africa. Her achievements have brought special recognition to women in sports in Malawi and continue to inspire across the continent.”
Maggie Chombo-Sadiki is recognised as a pioneer in women’s football in Malawi, who is now a dedicated coach, who currently serves as Malawi Scorchers’ assistant coach.
“Through her work, she continues to develop and mentor young girls in football and education,” says her résumé, whose key achievements and impact for ‘Coaching Excellence & Athlete Development’, include:
1. WAfCON 2026 Silver Medal — played a key role in helping the Malawi Scorchers win a silver medal
2. Mentoring the next generation — runs a sports academy for mentoring young girls in sports and school
3. Pioneer in women’s football — stands out among the few women who are pioneers in women football in Malawi
4. Former player — in her prime time, she also played football and now gives back to the country through coaching and mentoring; and
5. Impact & leadership — continuously empowering girls, creating opportunities and contributing to the growth of women’s football in Malawi.
“She is giving back to the country through coaching and mentoring girls.”
Vitumbiko Gubuduza is in the ‘Sports Leadership, Governance & Administration’, whose résumé indicates that she is “a dynamic and transformative leader who has redefined netball in Malawi”.
“As president of the Netball Association of Malawi, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, governance and strategic vision, restoring confidence in the sport and creating growth opportunities for athletes at all levels.”
Her key achievements and impact include rebuilding sponsor confidence by bringing back major sponsors who had previously left the game due to governance challenges.
Under her watch, she secured K1 billion sponsorship for the Malawi Queens and K1.2 billion for the first National Netball Premier League from FDH Bank Plc.
She also secured K600 million for U21 national netball competition and led initiatives to rebuild and strengthen the Malawi Queens, raising the team’s competitiveness and profile, contributing to an improved world ranking.
“My vision is to build a sustainable netball ecosystem that empowers our girls, inspires our communities and positions Malawi as a competitive force in African netball,” she is quoted as saying.
Vitumbiko Gubuduza
Namangale, is recognised for her visionary sports leadership, educator and advocate for youth development through chess.
When she was CHESSAM president, she was instrumental in growing the game across the country, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“She is also currently vying for the vice-presidency of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), a testament to her outstanding leadership, expertise and influence in global chess governance.”
Her key achievements and impact in her category; ‘Community Development & Social Impact’, includes leadership in governance in strategic growth and development of the sport.
Susan Namangale
On grassroots development, she has brought chess to rural areas, creating opportunities for young people to learn, compete and excel.
Uses chess as a tool to improve education outcomes, build life skills and empower vulnerable youth and she is a role model for girls and young women, proving that intellectual sports can create opportunities and change lives.
“Through chess, we can unlock potential, build brighter futures and create more opportunities for young people, especially in our communities,” she is quoted as saying.
Felister Dossi is nominated for the category of ‘Global African Diaspora Impact’, whose résumé describes her as a distinguished sports administrator and legal expert, currently serving as a member of the FIFA Legal Committee.
Felister Dossi
“Her work contributes significantly to strengthening governance, policy development, and integrity in African football.”
Key achievements and impact include serving on the FIFA Legal Committee, contributing to global football governance and regulatory frameworks.
And as FAM executive member, she plays a key leadership role in the administration and development of football in Malawi — contributing to the promotion of transparent, accountable and inclusive governance structures in African football.
Her continental and international recognition serves as a powerful inspiration to the girl child in Malawi and across Africa.
Chimwemwe Ishmael Banda is the founder and managing director of Citizen Impact Organisation, a women-founded grassroots organisation advancing community development for women, girls, youth and persons with disabilities.
The organisation aims to drive social and economic empowerment through advocacy, livelihood programs and sports for behaviour change.
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Her key achievements and impact in the category of ‘Sports Leadership, Governance & Administration’ include education access in which she spearheaded the building of Kaswiti School to improve access to education for children in the community.
She signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Topik Academy FC to empower young stars through sports, skills training and social-economic well-being.
On community empowerment, she implements advocacy and livelihood programs targeting women, girls, youth and persons with disabilities.
She uses sport as a powerful tool to promote inclusion, equality and sustainable community development across Malawi.
“She is a young and ambitious woman striving to make an impact in society for the girl child and women,” says her résumé.
Journalist Lucy Kadzongwe
Lucy Kadzongwe is a passionate and innovative sports journalist with the Times Group in Malawi, who is nominated for ‘Sports Media, Broadcasting & Journalism’.
“She is widely respected for her creative and dynamic presentation style, ability to bring African sport to life for her audiences, and commitment to amplifying women’s sport through reporting, interviews and event coverage,” says the résumé.
She is known for her creativity and innovation in how she presents her programs to her audience, bringing fresh and engaging perspectives to sports coverage.
Won an internship to travel to Botswana with fellow journalists to understudy and learn from experienced sports media professionals.
Serves as the publicist in the inaugural Women in Sports Commission Malawi Chapter due to her wits and strong character.
Highly regarded for her excellent director of ceremony skills during sports events. She has the creative and innovative spark in her that ignites her passion for sports.
The 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports (50MIA) initiative is organised by Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG).
“These women build African sport every day, often far from the cameras,” Rebecca Eliot, co-founder and CEO for ProTouch Sports is quoted as saying, who is the 50MIA 2025 Honouree.
“Athletes, administrators, coaches, referees, journalists and community builders are all on this list.
“Every vote turns visibility into value, and that is what the Athlete Economy is built on. We want the whole continent and its diaspora to take part.”
According to the organisers, the 2026 Summit and Awards will also present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Madame Fatma Samoura, former secretary general of FIFA — the world football governing body.
Fatma Samoura