By Suleman Chitera
Ernest Mangani, general secretary of the Football Players Association (FPA), is in Cairo, Egypt, to attend the FIFPRO Africa Division general assembly that runs from tomorrow until Thursday. The trip, funded by FIFPRO Africa, will see Mangani present a report on the status and progress of the FPA — a submission that could lead to Malawi being accepted as a FIFPRO member.”This is a very exciting moment for Malawi football players, who had no voice and organisation to represent us well. Our rights and welfare issues have always been ignored.
There has been a lot of exploitation of players. This assembly creates an opportunity that should not be missed,” Mangani said.Mangani’s presentation will outline the FPA’s establishment, activities to date, and the ongoing work to protect players’ rights and welfare. If the FIFPRO Africa congress approves, Malawi would gain representation within the international professional football players’ body — a move that could bring greater advocacy, dispute resolution support, and access to continental networks for player development and protection.The delegation’s appearance in Cairo follows a recent supervisory visit to Malawi by FIFPRO Africa board member Desmond Maringwa, who assessed the association’s setup and operations.
That visit helped pave the way for Mangani’s engagement at the assembly and underlined FIFPRO Africa’s interest in expanding membership across the continent.For many Malawian players, FPA affiliation represents hope for stronger collective bargaining, education on contracts and rights, and a formal channel to raise concerns about exploitation and welfare matters. Mangani said the organisation’s debut at the FIFPRO assembly is a milestone for players who have long sought an institutional voice.FPA officials will await the outcome of the general assembly, with the potential for Malawi to be formally considered for membership if the report meets FIFPRO Africa’s criteria. The decision could mark a significant step toward improved protections and representation for footballers across the country.
