Discipline in Malawi Defence Force (MDF) teams that are competing in the TNM Super League is becoming a concern with 134 cards having been shown to their players in 23 matches this season.
The teams are Mafco, Moyale and Kamuzu Barracks (KB).
Their officials have described the high number of cards accumulated as sad.
According to a bookings report published by Super League of Malawi, Mafco had accumulated a combined 55 bookings with five red cards as of last week.
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Moyale are second on the list with 40 yellow and one red card while KB are third having accumulated 38 yellow cards.
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Mafco Chairperson Kondwani Banda described the situation as worrisome and has since promised to take action on the matter.
“This reflects badly on our team. But we are working on a number of measures to bring the situation under control. The many cards to our players say a lot about what is happening on the pitch and we have no one to blame but ourselves,” Banda said.
Moyale Barracks Team Manager Gatros Thengo bemoaned the lack of discipline in his team as reflected by the number of cards accumulated.
“We summoned all our players and reminded them about the need for maintaining discipline at all times as we play our matches. We are aware that football is a game of body contact but let us get bookings only where it is necessary as this also affects the performance of the team.
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“From what we have seen, there are certain situations that are avoidable and we can do without them. We do not lose anything if we choose to avoid them,” he said.
But KB General Secretary Albert Midiani said some of the cards that his players received might not be a true reflection of their conduct on the pitch.
“Some referees have a negative perception towards military teams and they end up punishing our players even where it is not necessary. They simply overreact to some situations. But we accept that the game has its rules and fair play is part of it. We therefore take our time to talk to our players where necessary to avoid provoking certain scenarios which may end up in referees giving them cards. We just need to observe and respect Laws of the Game as the season is nearing the end,” Midiani said.
Among civilian teams, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos top the bill with 34 yellow cards and one red card each.
Bangwe All Stars are also on the list with 32 yellow and two red cards.
In total, the Super League has seen 238 bookings with eight red cards splashed as it heads into week 24 this weekend.
