The Mangochi District Football Association (MDFA) has officially announced the upcoming National Bank U-23 Championship and the Presidential Cup, urging all affiliated football teams to begin immediate preparations for the highly anticipated competitions.
In a press release dated September 21, 2026, and directed to all affiliated teams, the association emphasized that the tournaments are critical for the development of football in the district.
The National Bank U-23 Championship is expected to provide a valuable platform for young footballers to showcase their talent, gain competitive experience, and contribute to the overall growth of football in Mangochi. The MDFA has directed teams to identify and prepare eligible U-23 players, organize their technical teams, and ensure that all required registration and administrative arrangements are completed well in advance.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Cup will be contested at zonal level, with each zone featuring 16 competing teams. The association has urged all teams to prepare adequately for the zonal competition and to remain in constant communication with the general secretary for further guidance, registration, and other competition requirements.
Speaking on the announcement, MDFA General Secretary Islam Rajab called for immediate action from all participating teams.
“All affiliated teams should start preparing immediately by organizing their players, technical officials, equipment, registration documents on Mpira Connect, and other logistical requirements,” said Rajab. “We look forward to the full cooperation and participation of all teams as we continue to promote youth development, discipline, fair play, and the growth of football in Mangochi District.”
The MDFA noted that further information regarding official dates, registration procedures, competition rules, fixtures, and venues will be communicated through the appropriate football groups in due course.
Background: The National Bank U-23 Championship
The National Bank U-23 Championship is a landmark youth football competition in Malawi, launched in 2025 under a K500 million sponsorship from National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc. The tournament was officially launched at Mangochi Stadium, underscoring the district’s significance in the competition’s rollout.
The championship is structured across three phases: District, Regional, and National. In the District Phase, each of Malawi’s 31 districts hosts a league of up to 16 teams divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to knockout stages to determine a district champion. District champions then progress to the Regional Championships alongside existing Division One teams, with four regional champions qualifying for the National Finals.
The competition has already yielded notable success. In its inaugural season, Mponela FC of Dowa District were crowned national champions after defeating Karonga United Reserves 3–2 on post-match penalties. The tournament offers significant prize money, with national champions receiving K10 million, runners-up K4 million, and the third-placed team K2 million. Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has emphasized that the Under-23 age restriction was deliberately designed to develop young talent for the Malawi national team.
The Presidential Cup, meanwhile, has historically been a key fixture in Malawi’s football calendar, originally rooted in the Presidential Initiative on Sports and periodically revived to fill gaps left by the withdrawal of other sponsors.
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