TNM Super League strugglers Blue Eagles might have returned to winning ways over the weekend following a 3-1 beating of Mighty WakaWaka Tigers but that does not mean that their troubles are over.
Eagles have not had a good season this far, with several below par performances which have seen them languishing in the relegation zone.
The poor performances forced the coaching panel to ask management for a meeting with all stakeholders in the team with the aim of getting their campaign back on track.
This resulted into Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Happy Mkandawire calling for a crisis meeting at Area 30 in Lilongwe last week.
Apart from the executive committee, the stakeholders who met Mkandawire were players, technical panel members and a section of supporters.
According to information sourced by Times Sport, some of the stakeholders told Mkandawire that the team’s poor run of form is a result of poor management by the top brass.
The stakeholders even went as far as asking for the return of former chairperson Alexander Ngwala and team manager Frank Kalozeni.
Eagles’ current chairperson is Alex Simenti while the position of team manager is being held by Phillip Masiye in an acting capacity.
Some players who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mkandawire is aware of the players’ concerns.
“We were the first group that met the DIG. Members of the technical panel were next and the final group was that of supporters. As players, we told him the truth, that the leadership is to blame for our losses.
“We no longer get our game bonuses as we used to, yet there is gate revenue after every match. Whoever gets the money, we do not know how it is used. So, how do they expect us to perform?” One of the players queried.
A technical panel member, who also declined to be named, concurred with the players.
“The reality is that if things are not sorted out, this team will be relegated. We told the DIG about our problems and some included change of the leadership. We want Ngwala and Kalozeni back. This is what we need to turn around the team’s performance,” he said.
Eagles General Secretary Benjamin Msowoya said management is working on the team’s challenges.
“I do not want to go into specifics on what the players and others said in the meeting because I am not mandated to do that. But I believe management is working on all issues that were raised.
“Secondly, these players and coaches must know that Mr Simenti is the current chairperson of Blue Eagles who was appointed by management. If the team is relegated, it is individuals who will be greatly affected. There are players who solely rely on football income and they will suffer big time should we be relegated. So, let us all guard the team jealously,” Msowoya said.
Eagles’ next match is against fellow strugglers Red Lions at Balaka Stadium this weekend.
