Airborne doubtful for play-offs
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has maintained the decision to reduce its TNM Super League teams, raising fears that Airborne Rangers might be withdrawn from the rescheduled play-offs.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) Appeals Tribunal on Wednesday ruled that the play-offs, which involve Airborne, Dedza Young Soccer and Wizards, should proceed to identify a 16th team to join the elite league.
However, MDF Head of Training Brigadier General, Alick Mhone, without giving an exact answer, said the Army’s position remains the same.
“We are downsizing MDF teams [to three] in the league by 2017. Our position still stands, but we are yet to receive communication from Airborne and Sulom. We are only reading [about this] in newspapers. I doubt if they will participate,” Mhone said.
Reports suggest that the bulk of Airborne players are undergoing military training, a situation which might force them to pull out from the play-offs.
Airborne key players, Asedi Ayami, Stain Malata and Joseph Dosah have joined Mafco. Mhone fell short of assuring Airborne’s availability for the play-offs.
“Unless advised otherwise, our stand remains that we want to have three teams in the league next season. We will remove the bottom team on the list of MDF teams in terms of their performance [after] next season,” Mhone said.
“These people are employed as soldiers and football is just an additional activity, so emphasis must be put on the job not football.”
Airborne Team Manager, Gift Kadammanja, said he would only comment after getting communication from MDF headquarters.
Sulom General Secretary, Williams Banda, yesterday said they would determine the date of the play-offs once the injuction is vacated.
Last week, MDF announced that Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) Simama Premier Division champions, Chilumba Barracks, would not join the Super League due to financial hitches.
The play-offs were halted after Dedza Young Soccer obtained an injunction last month, only for Sulom Appeals Tribunal to rule that the play-offs should continue.
Dedza were expected to determine the way forward yesterday. Airborne lost 2-1 to Wizards FC in their first the play-offs. Currently, Wizards lead the play-offs log table with three points.
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