* It is to mark a significant transition from traditional paper tickets to digital access — aligning with modern technological advancements and catering to the evolving preferences of football enthusiasts
* Apart from entry to matches and other events, the TNM Mpamba card can also be used for ATM withdraws and payment in shops through PoS machines
By Duncan Mlanjira
Super League of Malawi (SULOM) and TNM Plc — sponsors of the top flight TNM Super League have jointly announced that effective December 1, 2024, all matches will be on 100% TNM Mpamba electronic ticketing.
The e-ticketing was introduced before kick off of the TNM Super League 2024 — an innovative step that aims to enhance convenience, streamline access, elevate the overall matchday experience for supporters and curb fraud around football arena.
It is to mark a significant transition from traditional paper tickets to digital access — aligning with modern technological advancements and catering to the evolving preferences of football enthusiasts.
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The announcement was made at a joint press conference in Lilongwe, and in a statement both SULOM and TNM said they want the league to graduate from cash to strictly electronic entry payments at the gates.
SULOM’s marketing & commercialisation sub-committee chairperson, Chimwemwe Nyirenda is quoted as saying that after months of a hybrid system — where both cash and mobile payments were being accepted as payment options for gate entry into the TNM Super League match venues — it was now time to switch to 100% mobile payments.
“We introduced e-ticketing under a hybrid set-up to allow time for soccer fans to access the TNM Mpamba card, which is a necessity for one to be able to buy the e-tickets.”
Chimwemwe Nyirenda (2nd right)
Apart from entry to matches and other events, the TNM Mpamba card can also be used for ATM withdraws and payment in shops through PoS machines.
To get TNM Mpamba cards customers simply must use TNM Smart APP, under Services, select Khadi Mbambande or dial *444#, select 5, then follow menu prompts.
After application, customers get their physical cards at a TNM shop of their choice. Alternatively, customers can access instant cards at all TNM shops, TNM Super League match venues or selected agents and dealers.
“It is now time to entrench cashless innovation amongst football fans,” said Nyirenda, noting that as the league undergoes reforms, adoption of electronic payment was a big positive step towards transforming the game.
“As the world embraces the era of digitalisation, e-ticketing will be a catalyst in Malawi as we work on reforming, reviving and rebranding our football. E-ticketing enables instant transfers to teams as opposed to the current system of bank deposits.
“It also enables the teams to track their revenue through the e-ticketing portal,” Nyirenda is quoted as saying while encouraging fans who are yet to get the TNM Mpamba card to get theirs immediately ahead of the November 30 deadline.
Christopher Sukasuka
TNM’s Mpamba General Manager, Christopher Sukasuka is quoted as saying e-ticketing innovation brings sanity and helps teams collect revenue conveniently: “E-ticketing offers convenience for all football stakeholders in the management of cash.
“Football fans have an opportunity to purchase their tickets any time while on the other hand, league managers have total control of the match revenues,” he said.
Both SULOM and TNM maintain that apart from safeguarding of revenue, other advantages include real-time attendance tracking and prevention of fraudulent activities — therefore, e-ticketing offers a significant milestone in the evolution of football in Malawi, resonating with global standards of convenience and efficiency.
Sukasuka added that the league sponsor was geared for the 100% e-ticketing switch initiative across all TNM Super League matches through deployment of adequate resources for the transition.
When introducing the system in March, TNM’s Head of Brand & Marketing, Madalitso Jonazi emphasised on fraud, saying the vice is an issue hindering the growth of football industry, particularly during matches.
He had said: “The traditional practice of handling cash when purchasing physical tickets at entry points poses a lot of challenges for revenue collection such as theft of cash which leads to revenue loss and other associated problems.
“The e-ticketing is the most secure and convenient solution of handling football matches revenue as tickets will be bought through TNM’s digital platforms.”
The initiative of e-ticketing also aligns with the Ministry of Youth & Sports and SULOM ongoing efforts to address issues like cash theft and ticket duplication within the TNM Super League.
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