By Our Reporter

Copyright mwnation

Former Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu says his unofficial victory as member of Parliament for Nsanje South West Constituency has come as a huge relief bearing in mind that his reputation was at stake.

Unofficial results in the September 16 General Election show that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Council of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) executive member has secured a parliamentary seat.

However, it was a mixed fortune for sports personalities as former Chess Association of Malawi president Susan Musa Namangale’s bid for Nkhotakota Central Constituency seat, fell through.

The unconfirmed results also show that another former Chessam president and former Cabinet minister Kezzie Msukwa, immediate-past Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire and ex-Mighty Wanderers general secretary Chipiliro Mpinganjira, have failed to retain their sets in Chitipa East, Karonga South and Blantyre City-Nkolokoti, Ndirande and Matope constituencies, respectively.

But former FCB Nyasa Bullets chairperson Noel Lipipa and former FAM acting president Sameer Suleman are set to retain their seats in Blantyre City-Chilomoni, Kabula, Nancholi and Blantyre City Chigumula, BCA and Club Banana constituencies.

The unofficial results also show that the now defunct Masters Security FC owner Alfred Gangata has won the Lilongwe Mtandire and Mtsiriza constituency.

Kukoma Ntopwa FC technical director Isaac Jomo Osman is also set to retain the Blantyre City Bangwe, Ntopwa Ward as a councillor.

In an interview yesterday, Nyamilandu said: “I am not surprised by the victory because my faith in God was very strong. Indeed, he makes way where there is no way.

“However, the good news has come as a huge relief bearing in mind that my reputation was at stake.

“It’s a very humbling feeling to earn the trust and confidence of the people of Nsanje South West. I promise that I won’t disappoint them. I give all the glory and honour to God for the victory.”

Contrasting with football politics, the former Fifa Council member said: “What an adventure! Political campaign of this nature is a different ball game. It’s not for the faint-hearted.”

Nyamilandu, who served as FAM president for 19 years before losing to the incumbent Fleetwood Haiya in December 2023, said his vision is to develop the

constituency.

He said: “I want to make Nsanje a place where the people lead decent lives, become prosperous and contribute significantly to the Malawi 2063 Agenda.

“In pursuit of this vision, first and foremost, I will endeavour to address the well-being of the community of Nsanje South West by restoring provision of basic requirements such as food, clean water and electricity to eradicate hunger, sustain lives and improve the livelihood of people.

“Efforts will also be made to save lives of the people through improved health care services where there is improved availability of medicines, under-fives clinics and health centres to treat patients.”

Nyamilandu said transforming the education system will also be key.

He said: “Top of the agenda is to empower the community so that the people should be able to fend for themselves and become self-sustainable,” he said.

“Finally, I will endeavour to support sports and arts in Nsanje to ensure that talented athletes and artists should excel. My dream is to make sure that a football club from Nsanje should play in the Super League and make the most of the new stadium that has been constructed by Fifa as its home ground.”

On the other hand, reacting to her loss through a post on her Facebook page, Namangale said: “There’s pain that comes with losing, especially when you poured your whole heart and self in something you wanted to do.

“Of course, this loss isn’t mine alone as they [people in the constituency] lost the opportunity to be served by a committed and ethical individual while I lost an opportunity to serve and contribute to meaningful development.”