Spite is one of the traits of humans. And there are many ways of ‘displaying’ spite, even if subtle.
Depending on individual preferences, people colour the act in different ways— all in the quest to hide the true intention of an action.
But, then, if ever there were cases of poor execution of the act of spite, the best one could be that of the Super League of Malawi (Sulom).
Sulom, which is affiliate of the Football Association of Malawi— has been behaving like a spoilt child— one who vomits in a biological father’s cup of tea, or coffee or cocoa or whatever it be.
- Advertisement -
Sulom has, of late, been behaving in a counter-productive manner. Counterproductive because the super league governing body has, in the past three weeks, been actively frustrating the cause of the Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, all in the name of ‘protecting’ league fixtures.
- Advertisement -
Ironically, in the name of ‘protecting’ the same fixtures, the Super League governing body has been bending its own rules, accepting some teams’ requests and turning others down as its officials decide.
It is a clear sign of Sulom—once beloved, once impartial, once considerate— losing direction in this land of the lake.
There are indications that some people there are regarding themselves as bigger than Malawi football. Bigger? My foot!
There are some people at Sulom who are feeling untouchable— enemies of Malawi football who believe, in their skewed line of thinking, that they are Malawi football and that Malawi football cannot do without them. Wishful thinking.
- Advertisement -
No one at Sulom is indispensable. If you, some Sulom people, feel that there is nothing more you can offer to local football, pack up and go. No one, in their right sense, would miss you— you who are openly behaving like enemies of Malawi football.
If you are not enemies of Malawi football, why did you not allow it that some league matches be postponed so that the Malawi National Football Team interim Coach Patrick Mabedi could get as many players as possible and from as many teams as possible?
But, surely, some pumped up people at Sulom felt that super league matches are more important than my beloved Malawi National Football Team. I think those who tow this line of thinking at Sulom are in the wrong country. You cannot get away with messing up with our beloved national football team and call yourselves patriotic.
Maybe I have started from the end. Let me ‘start’ from the ‘beginning’.
The Flames has made us, patriotic Malawians, proud by incorporating youths that almost caused an upset at the just-ended Hollywood Bets Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa.
The team did not lose in open play, thanks to Mabedi’s acumen. Him and his backroom staff did a good job. If anything, they just need to work with the ‘boys’ on penalties, confidence and other stuff.
Having beaten Zambia 1-0 in the first match, the youthful team made its intentions clear. The team next beat Comoros 2-0, raising the nation’s hopes even more. The team then walloped Seychelles, another feat.
Here is a team that faced hurdles, among them Sulom, which denied the interim coach some talent by seeming to ‘maintain’ that the national team was lesser important than Super League fixtures, such that some of the teams that knew that they would contribute two or three players to the national team but continue playing league matches grew cold feet.
Because of Sulom’s action, Mabedi’s team lacked some depth and this definitely contributed to the regulation time draws with Lesotho – when the match ended 1-1 in regulation time— and South Africa, as the match ended 0-0 in regulation time. The Flames ended up losing both matches on post-match penalties.
This means South Africa, who lost to Zambia 1-0 in the semi-finals, claimed a bronze medal at the 2023 Cosafa Cup after they beat Malawi 5-3 on penalties in the third-place playoff following a 0-0 draw at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Bafana Bafana gaffer Morena Ramoreboli’s side held its nerve in the shootout, with Lyle Lakay, Shaune Mogaila, Iqraam Rayners, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Rowan Human converting their respective spot-kicks before Christopher Kumwembe missed his for Malawi.
It was surely painful to the Flames, as they were the only team that won all three of their matches in the group stages.
I can say Sulom got what it wanted; the Flames did not even win a bronze medal due to the body’s selfishness. What a shame.
Surprisingly, some Sulom officials spoke highly of the Flames’ performance after they finished fourth, saying the team did relatively well in South Africa because of the competitiveness of the Super League.
Be ashamed of yourselves. What should you commend the performance of a team you clearly frustrated through selfish actions?
Truth be told, Sulom has lost direction and is heading towards the abyss. There is, clearly, no sense of patriotism and direction at Sulom.
Well, you have no right to kill Malawi football. If you want to frustrate teams and the Malawi National Football Team, just step down. You are not demi-gods.
In fact, without you, Malawi football will be just fine.
In fact, without you in Malawi football, the game will stand pure again, unsoiled by your selfish behaviour and bitter wishes.
Now, let me ‘end’ with the real ‘end’. If I were Mabedi, I would have told Sulom officials who were congratulating the national team for its Cosafa performances off; I would have told them that the Flames does not need their artificial ‘well wishes’. In fact, I would have told them not to come anywhere near the Flames.
