Minga and Ndaula CDSS crowned Ching’onga Champions as sponsor vows bigger 2026 boost
Minga Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) from Area 38, Lilongwe, triumphed in dramatic fashion at the 2025 Ching’onga Estate Agency Secondary Schools Sports Tournament, clinching the boys’ football title in an 11–10 penalty shootout against Dedza’s Mchisu CDSS.
The final, held Saturday at Lilongwe Teachers’ Training College, saw both teams locked at 1–1 after full time. Prince Chipandula opened the scoring for Minga CDSS before Mchisu’s Hendrick Zgambo equalized in the second half. The deadlock forced a tense shootout, where Gift Ngenge converted the winning penalty after Mchisu’s goalkeeper, Remember Makaika, missed his attempt.
Earlier in the day, Nzama CDSS from Ntcheu secured third place with a narrow 1–0 win, thanks to a decisive strike from Daniel Moyo.
In the girls’ netball final, Ndaula CDSS of Lilongwe Rural West delivered a dominant performance, routing Waliranji CDSS 8–0 to claim the championship. Their speed, coordination, and shooting accuracy proved too much for the opposition.
This year’s edition brought together district champions from across the Central West Education Division, including schools from Ntcheu, Dedza, Mchinji, and multiple Lilongwe zones. The competition began in February and narrowed down from 178 schools through zonal, cluster, and district qualifiers to Saturday’s electrifying finals.
The tournament was made possible by Ching’onga Estate Agency, which injected K20 million to cover logistics, equipment, and awards. The funding supported not just match play but also the overall development of school sports in underserved areas.
Joseph Nkhata, Education Division Manager for Central West, emphasized the broader impact of sports: “It’s not just about football or basketball. Sports in schools help reduce vandalism and indiscipline. We’ve seen a tangible difference this year.”
Stella Nchingula, Managing Partner at Ching’onga Estate Agency, expressed satisfaction with the event’s organization and hinted at increasing next year’s sponsorship: “We’ve been part of these communities since 1997. Investing in the youth is our responsibility and joy. The transparency in fund usage gives us confidence to go even bigger next year.”
Aaron Kampango, Chairperson for the Central West Education Division Sports Committee, echoed the need for broader private-sector involvement: “We thank Ching’onga, but we need more partners—especially in less popular sports. With combined efforts, this can become a nationally recognized event.”
Both Minga CDSS and Ndaula CDSS received trophies, gold medals, match balls, training equipment, and full sets of jerseys as champions.
Despite minor challenges such as age verification issues, organizers were optimistic. The tournament, they said, is not just creating winners on the field but shaping leaders for tomorrow.
