By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE (MaraviPost) — Former Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has spoken out forcefully on what he describes as deep-rooted political interference in Malawi’s football governance, claiming that the recent FAM elections were heavily influenced by the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and that his own life was placed at serious risk during the process.
Speaking during a face-to-face podcast interview that has since sparked widespread debate on social media, Nyamilandu alleged that the elections were not only compromised but also militarised, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
According to Nyamilandu, individuals aligned to his campaign were harassed and targeted by state machinery.
He revealed that one of his campaign chairpersons was arrested simply for mobilising support on his behalf.
“My chairman was arrested for campaigning for me. That alone tells you how dangerous the environment had become,” Nyamilandu said during the interview.
Nyamilandu, who served as FAM president for over a decade before losing power in 2020, claimed that the election period marked one of the darkest chapters in Malawi football administration.
He said political influence had crept into the sport to the extent that football administrators were no longer free to associate or campaign without fear of reprisal.
In a startling revelation, Nyamilandu further alleged that incumbent FAM president Fleetwood Haiya enjoyed state protection during the campaign period, including armed escorts from the Malawi Defence Force under the previous Nundwe-led administration.
“While I was watching my back, the other side was being escorted by soldiers. That is not football governance; that is politics invading sport,” he said.
Nyamilandu suggested that the presence of the military sent a chilling message to delegates and administrators ahead of the polls, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
He also hinted at receiving intelligence warnings about threats to his personal safety, which forced him to limit his movements and public appearances during the campaign period.
“There were moments when I genuinely feared for my life. This was no longer about football but about power,” he added.
The former FAM boss argued that football, which should unite Malawians across political lines, has instead become a battleground for political control and patronage.
He warned that unless decisive reforms are implemented, Malawi football risks losing its autonomy and credibility both locally and internationally.
Nyamilandu called on FIFA and CAF to closely monitor governance developments in Malawi, stressing that political interference violates international football statutes.
Efforts to obtain a response from FAM president Fleetwood Haiya and the past regime authorities on the allegations were unsuccessful by press time.
The revelations have reignited debate among football stakeholders, with many calling for an independent inquiry into the conduct of the elections and the alleged role of political actors.
As Malawi football struggles on the pitch, Nyamilandu’s claims suggest that the deeper crisis may lie off it where power, politics and personal safety collide.
The function, which was beamed live on Zodiak Television, featured several cabinet ministers from the previous regime.
