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Army football teams under review

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) says it is in the process of reviewing participation of its army teams in the TNM Super League and other local tournaments.

This coincides with a decision by Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to ban eight Red Lions players in relation with the violence that occurred in a league match against Surestream FC at Kamuzu Stadium three weeks ago.

Violent lot: Red Lions
Violent lot: Red Lions

Director of training (DOT) at MDF, Brigadier General Paul Phiri told Nation on Sunday on Tuesday that they are concerned with the bad image MDF is getting its teams through participation in the league and cup competitions.

He said MDF wants to meet Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Sulom, government and Sports Council to get their perception on military teams and agree on the way forward.

“There has been a lot of debate over the number of army teams participating in the national league. The image of MDF is dented as we have been subjected to so much bad publicity. We cannot be going on like this, we need to get to the bottom and find a solution,” said Phiri.

He said once they get views from all the stakeholders they will decide on the way forward for army teams’ participation in national leagues and tournaments.

‘We will meet each institution at their convenient time and map the way forward. The purpose of military teams participation in national league is just to develop football and give opportunity to men of MDF a platform to nurture their talents as they are Malawians,” said Phiri.

MDF have for the first time expressed suspicion with the ‘swiftness’ of punishment Super League of Malawi meted on Red Lions in relation to the violence that occurred during a TNM league match against Surestream.

“It is not like we are backing our club Red Lions, no. We are not against the punishment itself. If information indicates that our club was wrong they need to be punished. We are just surprised with the swiftness of the judgement. For such things to happen something must have triggered it. We believe when coming up with such a strong punishment enough time should have been given to thoroughly investigate the case,” said Phiri.

He said they were also surprised to hear Sports Minister Grace Chiumia faulting Sulom for not meting out stiff punishment on Lions.

“Currently, we are waiting for a review which FAM is doing on the judgment, but we were surprised to hear the minister speak on the issue. Like I said we are meeting all stakeholders to find out their perception of MDF teams and what needs to change,” said Phiri.

In response, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu has assured the army hierarchy that military teams have brought about stiff competition in the league, which has made the league exciting.

He welcomed the invitation for a round table forum with MDF, saying it is very necessary.

“But as FAM we can assure MDF that they are an integral part of football development in the country. To say the truth our Super League cannot survive without their contribution. We appreciate their presence so much and they have done a lot to develop football in the country. We share their concerns and we believe the meeting will go a long way, paving a smooth way between military and civilians teams,” said Nyamilandu.

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