TNM Super League defending champions FCB Nyasa Bullets have told Super League of Malawi (Sulom) that they will play their match against Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday, despite contributing four players to the Malawi National Football Team, which is in South Africa for this year’s Cosafa Cup.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) had arranged to exempt Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers from TNM Super League action as they have contributed four players each to the Flames squad.
However, league leaders Silver and third-placed Wanderers have chosen to be exempted from matches until their stars return from South Africa.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, Sulom General Secretary Williams Banda communicated that Wanderers and Silver will be out of action.
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“This follows the release of four players each by Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to the Malawi National Football Team which is taking part in the 2023 Cosafa Tournament in South Africa.
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“Silver Strikers, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets have provided four players each to the national squad and [are] therefore eligible for exemption from league matches as provided for in Article 49.2 of Sulom rules and regulations after submission of names to qualify for the exemption,” the statement reads.
Banda said Bullets had communicated that they will manage to fulfill their matches as scheduled despite contributing four players to the national team.
Bullets Chief Administration Manager Albert Chigoga said their technical panel made the decision.
“Our technical panel indicated that it does not want to face fixture congestion challenges considering that we will also participate in this year’s Caf Champions League apart from the Castel Challenge, FDH Bank and Airtel Top 8 cups.
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“The idea is to have all our players fit and in good shape for all competitions and proceeding with the fixture was the best thing to do,” Chigoga said.
Football analyst Roy Mdechi blamed the situation on the feud between Sulom and Football Association of Malawi.
“From what is happening now, one can easily tell that the working relationship between Sulom and Fam is now having an effect on the development of the game in the country. In the first place, we were told about a gentleman’s agreement between the two institutions on leaving out top players from the Cosafa Cup squad.
“It is sad that this agreement has not been respected. Secondly, an agreement to take only three players from clubs for national duty was also violated. On that basis, Bullets should have refused to play their match against Blue Eagles without the four players. And why is Sulom allowing the game to proceed when Silver and Wanderers will not play? They should learn to apply rules equally at all times,” Mdechi said.
Former Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda also asked for uniformity in applying rules.
“Once the regulator begins to entertain exceptions from the wilderness, enforcement will be problematic. From a sporting perspective, Bullets’ decision is irrational.
“They are already reeling from a spate of injuries in their camp and to me it does not make sporting sense to play without four of their key players. Their move could backfire and their fans will be annoyed if they drop points against Eagles,” Kanyenda said.
The other fixtures for this weekend are as follows:
Saturday
Chitipa United vs Kamuzu Barracks at Karonga
Bangwe All Stars vs Moyale at Mpira Stadium
Red Lions vs Mighty Tigers at Balaka
Sunday
Karonga United vs Dedza Dynamos at Karonga
Civil Service United vs Ekwendeni Hammers at Civo
