By Mphatso Malidadi & Peter Fote:
Two Football Association of Malawi (Fam) member associations, Central Region Football Association (CRFA) and Southern Region Football Association (SRFA), have been caught in controversy, forcing postponement of crucial matches as teams seek to earn TNM Super League promotion.
In the Central Region, the Premier Division decider between Kawinga and Namitete Zitha [St Gabriel Zitha FC], which was slated for Sunday, has been postponed over match fixing allegations.
The south has not been spared from controversy as SRFA has postponed the semifinal match between Zingwangwa United and Fomo FC after FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve lodged a complaint that the former used three ineligible players during their quarterfinal clashes.
Zingwangwa, who booted out Bullets Reserve 3-2 on aggregate, were supposed to meet Fomo today.
However, both CRFA and SRFA have opted to resolve the issues before proceeding with fixtures.
According to CRFA acting General Secretary Antonio Manda, the match between Kawinga and Namitete has been suspended pending investigations into alleged match fixing reports.
“We implore stakeholders to remain calm as we try to uncover something on these allegations,” Manda said in a statement dated January 9 2024.
In a separate interview, Manda said they were not taking the match-fixing reports lightly, hence postponing the final game.
In Central Region’s Chipiku Premier Division, Namitete have 47 points, three shy of league leaders Kawinga.
Ironically, Namitete collected three points last Sunday after Ngolowondo of Salima failed to show up for the match due to what they called financial problems.
This did not go well with Namitete, who suspected foul play by their competitors and lodged a complaint with CRFA to investigate the matter as they fear match fixing is at play.
However, Ngolowondo General Secretary Idrisa Adam, whose team has donated 15 points for failure to show up, attributed the issue to financial problems rocking the team.
“Our team required about K1.6 million to honour three away matches and this is the reason we failed to play against Luanar, Villa, Leyman Pathers, Kawinga and Namitete. We were left paralysed after CRFA moved all the home matches for teams to Lilongwe,” he said.
The remarks were shared by Mangoni Warriors General Secretary Bilesi Ntsinambuto and Villa Team Manager Thokozani Dzinkambani, who added that they spend a lot of resources to honour fixtures since the format was changed.
Meanwhile, Kawinga media consultant Joe Mwase has said they were puzzled with the postponement of the final match.
“It started like a rumour but the game has indeed been postponed. It is our hope that the issue will be treated with urgency to enable the team that wins the decider to prepare for Super League life,” Mwase said.
Namitete General Secretary Lingo Katchulu welcomed the postponement.
“The issue needs thorough investigations to thoroughly and amicably solve the matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, SRFA is also investigating allegations that Zingwangwa used three suspended players in both legs against Bullets Reserve.
SRFA Vice Secretary Kingsley Simbeye confirmed postponing the match.
“We are treating the issue with utmost speed and seriousness. We should be ready with a verdict by Wednesday [today],” Simbeye said.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said they have strong evidence that Zingwangwa used suspended players.
“Yes, we launched a formal complaint. We strongly believe, with impeccable evidence submitted to the regulator, that Zingwangwa United used ineligible players in both quarterfinal legs,” Chigoga said.
However, Zingwangwa Coach Sizo Dida Zingwangwa denied using suspended players.
“Those are mere allegations. They are kicks of a dying horse. I believe we will be proved right,” Zingwangwa said.
