Children across Malawi play football with whatever they have. In villages where proper balls are rare, children make balls from rolled-up plastic bags, cloth scraps tied together, or bundles of dried leaves. These home-made balls still create amazing games full of skill, speed and laughter. The love of the game is bigger than any equipment.
The Flames is the nickname of the Malawi national football team. Malawians follow them with huge passion and the whole country comes to a standstill for important matches. In 2021 the Flames qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for only the second time in history, sparking celebrations across the country.
Malawi has a national football league with clubs based in cities including Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. The biggest clubs - like Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers - have passionate fan followings and fierce local rivalry. Match days fill the streets with colour, noise and excitement.
Football academies are growing in Malawi, helping talented young players develop their skills and dream of playing professionally. The sport teaches teamwork, determination and fairness - values that are celebrated in Malawian culture as well as on the pitch.