Chiefs in Karonga District have warned supporters against violence as the TNM Super League kicks off with a derby between Baka City and Karonga United at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.
The traditional leaders have said they have put in place stringent measures to punish anyone involved in violence during the Karonga derby.
Baka earned Super League promotion after lifting the Simso Northern Region Football Association Premier Division title last season.
The bitter rivalry between Baka and Karonga started when both sides were playing in the regional league before the latter earned promotion to the elite league.
It is expected that the rivalry will be rekindled now that the two teams are in the top flight league.
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Tension has been building up between the two sides from the time Super League of Malawi released fixtures for the 2024 season last week.
This prompted the chiefs to call for a meeting with stakeholders from the two camps, with Paramount Chief Kyungu’s father figure Mpeta Mwakasungula leading the gathering yesterday.
Also present at the meeting were group village headmen Mwambungu, Malema and Mwafiraso.
Besides Baka and Karonga officials, the meeting had representatives from the Karonga community.
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Mpeta said they told the meeting that anyone causing violence will be fined K150,000 and handed over to police for criminal prosecution.
“This will not only apply during the match between Baka and Karonga, but all the games that will be staged at Karonga Stadium. As chiefs in Karonga, we would like to urge the community of Karonga to understand that the game of football is about fair play.
“Baka and Karonga are coming from the same family and we, as chiefs here, have a major role to play in ensuring that there is peace during all matches. So we met the two sides and their supporters to warn them that we will not tolerate any incident of violence,” he said.
Karonga General Secretary Ramsy Simwaka hailed the chiefs for the initiative.
“As people of Karonga, we have a lot of respect for our chiefs and my belief is that everyone will heed the call for peace during all matches. There is indeed a need for all of us to accept the outcome of the match whether it pleases us or not.
“This is a crucial encounter and a big match for that matter. The entire Karonga District will come to a standstill as all roads will lead to Karonga Stadium. So we are grateful to the chiefs for coming into this matter just at the right time. We have heard what they have said and we, as a team, will play our game to win without inciting violence,” Simwaka said.
His younger brother Oscar, who holds a similar position at Baka, said they will adhere to the chiefs’ call and desist from violence.
“We will take the responsibility to ensure that there is no violence during and after the match. Our camp is aware of the importance of peace at the match. Matches involving Baka and Karonga are quite crucial indeed as bragging rights are at stake. So, we will sit down with our fans and advise them to be peaceful throughout the match,” he said.
This will be the first match for Baka in the Super League and Oscar said they expect to collect full points.
The league’s launch match will be between champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Dedza Dynamos at Dedza Stadium Saturday.
