Disagreements have emerged between Bangwe All Stars and TNM Super League debutants Fomo over the ownership of Phillip Chavula, Malawi News Sport has learnt.
Bangwe claim the player joined Fomo using a different name— Phillip Kamanga—and featured as a substitute when the two sides met in a TNM Super League which ended 1-0 in favour of the newcomers.
The incident has raised doubts over the efficiency of the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS) as the player beat the system by changing the surname.
If found guilty, the player can be banned while Fomo can lose the match.
However, our investigations show that the 20-year-old attacking midfielder was duly registered by Bangwe before the start of the 2024 season but he was released on January 26 due to non-performance issues.
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“The purpose of the letter is to inform you that we will no longer need your services due to your performance last season where you were involved in a few games for the team.
“The contract is performance based and the club reserves the right to terminate the contract if there is dip in form by the player by giving two months’ notice pay. All agreements between the club and the player are cancelled and you may consider the above mentioned date as your last day of work,” the letter dated January 26, 2024 which was signed by Bangwe owner Mphatso Jika reads.
The player was advised to return Bangwe’s equipment.
However, Jika alleged that the player was reinstated after he asked for mercy and another chance following the arrival of new coach Christopher Nyambose.
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The player refused to comment but his new employers Fomo denied any wrongdoing arguing that they followed the transfer system.
“We followed every procedure in registering the player as he has an agent. We will not make any comment on the allegations of name change or any in eligibility complaint letter by Bangwe,” Fomo General Secretary Jimmy Maloya said.
Fam has now moved in by demanding the players details and Super League of Malawi identification card for the player from Bangwe All Stars.
“We are in receipt of the ineligibility complaint letter of a player called Phillip Kamanga born on January 3, 2004 and involved in a TNM Super League match played on April 6, 2024 at Mulanje Park Stadium under Fifa ID (IPOGI) registered in Mpira connect on April 5, 2024 under a different name as Phillip Chavula.
“Kindly, provide the following information statement as to whether the player Phillip Kamanga is different from Phillip Chavula. A copy of Sulom identification card for Phillip Kamanga and confirmation of his personal details. A copy of the employment contract of the player from your club by April 11, 2024,” the letter reads.
A football analyst Roy Mdechi said it was a tricky issue.
“It is very unlikely that Bangwe will win the case. Of course if Fomo is guilty then likely they will lose points but the likelihood of the matter is that Bangwe will lose because they released the player.
“However, the case would be why did Bangwe change the name of the player from Kamanga to Chavula?” Mdechi asked.
