By Imam Wali:
Eyebrows have been raised after Central Region Football Association (CRFA) Disciplinary Committee banned Premier Division side Ngolowindo FC over match fixing allegations.
Ngolowindo have been banned from taking part in football-related activities for 36 months.
This comes after Ngolowindo did not report for their match against Namitete Zitha, who are fighting for Super League promotion alongside Kawinga FC.
Ironically, Kawinga and Zitha have been fined K500,000 each for attempting to fix the match between Ngolowindo and Namitete.
- Advertisement -
According to the ruling, both teams have to pay the fine within 14 days, or risk a 36-month ban each.
In the same ruling, Ngolowindo Chairperson Ibrahim Omar and General Secretary Idrissa Adam have been banned for 60 months.
Others that have been slapped with bans include Joel Chigona (24 months), Ringo Kansulu, Keenwood Nkhoma, Wellington Nzunga (60 months each), Joel Mwase and Khembo Mumba (48 months each).
However, analysts have called for thorough investigations as the verdict has exposed other problems.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Football Association of Malawi former general secretary Charles Nyirenda said the incident could be a tip of the iceberg.
“Firstly, it is a sad development. We believe that fair play is the name of the game but these revelations show that there are a lot of underhand activities happening in the second tier league.
“Secondly, the punishments are ridiculous. It seems the penalties have been put on the scale. We need to cast the net wider because these things might have been happening. This might be a tip of the iceberg,” Nyirenda said.
Another analyst Parly Chinyama shared the sentiments.
“This is a signal that something is wrong. The whole ruling and penalties need to be revised. Fam should not have intervened in the first matter; they should have waited for this ruling and, then, act,” Chinyama said.
However, CRFA acting General Secretary Antonio Manda refused to comment.
