Linda Kasenda is personification of the dictums of ‘education is key to success’ and ‘hard work pays’.
The former captain of the Scorchers — Malawi women’s national football team — has combined education and hard work to become a household name in football management in the country.
She is currently the Manager for Mpira Mmudzi Mwathu Schools, where she manages three schools, while juggling other roles as a player and Team Manager for Lilongwe women football giants, Civo United FC, which was formerly known as Skippers FC.
She is also an Assistant Coach for the Malawi girls under-17 football national team and also serves in the executive committee of the National Youth Football.
Linda’s success story in football management assumed new heights when she was chosen to give a motivation talk to over 100 kids that had converged at the Bingu National Stadium for the CAF/COSAFA Schools games which Malawi hosted for the first time in October.
“They wanted someone who has played football at both club and national team level, someone who has achieved as a footballer and in academic life as well, a hard worker, disciplined and, most importantly, someone who is contributing towards youth football,” Linda said to explain how she found herself on such a big stage to share her story with kids from across the COSAFA region.
In her motivation talk, Kasenda shared her story about how she started on the streets of Zomba when society was not ready to embrace women football, detailing how challenging it was for girls to share a football pitch with boys, to now when the Football Association of Malawi has embraced women football as one of the fastest growing games.
Kasenda also cautioned the kids that while focusing on football as a career they should also concentrate on their academic career as football is a short term career and there is life after football.
“Look at me now, I’m fully employed because of football. I’ve travelled across the African continent all because of football and, most importantly, I’ve gained professional and academic qualifications because of football.
“Just recently I graduated with an advanced certificate in sports management from the University of Pretoria which was all paid for by the government of Malawi. So, sharing such success stories about my football career makes me feel happy and excited as I know that one day from that group of kids there will emerge another Linda Kasenda,” she said.
Kasenda started her football career in the old capital city with Municipal Queens before relocating to Lilongwe where she joined DD Sunshine. She later quit DD Sunshine to join Skippers FC which has now rebranded to Civo Women FC.
She holds various qualifications such as a Diploma in Accounting and Finance, Diploma in Counselling and Guidance, Certificate in HIV Testing and Counselling, Advance Certificate in Sports Management, FAM D Coaching Course and a certificate in career transition.
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