Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has lifted a ban imposed on Silver Strikers for failure to release players in time for Flames’ camping.
Three Silver players—Binwell Katinji, Levison Maganizo and Chisomo Mpachika—were turned back by the Ronny van Geneugden (RVG)-led coaching panel after reporting late for camp training ahead of last weekend’s 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Comoros.
But FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said they have decided to give the club and the players a reprieve after Silver apologised for their mistake.
“I can confirm that the ban has been lifted and Silver players will get back into camp because FAM and the Flames technical panel have accepted the club’s apology. Otherwise, they could not be allowed back in Flames camp,” he said.
“FAM and the Flames technical panel are strict on discipline, but Silver has shown great remorse as per their apology letter.”
Silver general secretary (GS) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda said they are happy that their apology has been accepted.
“We are impressed with how FAM and the technical panel have handled our case and we promise not to make the same mistake again,” he said.
In a letter of apology addressed to Nyamilandu last weekend, Silver said the incident occurred due to communication breakdown.
“Silver Strikers Football Club would like to sincerely apologise to FAM for failing to release its players who were called up to join the national team training camp. We owe that failure to communication breakdown between Silver and the [Flames] technical panel,” reads the letter signed by Nyirenda.
“We came to know about the camping on May 29 2017. The players were supposed to travel to Blantyre on the 30th and return to Lilongwe for the Airtel Top 8 competition on the 31st. Our team manager talked to the [Flames] team manager to consider exempting our players until the Airtel Top 8 finals.”
He also claimed to have e-mailed the FAM GS [Alfred Gunda] requesting the same and RVG was copied accordingly although he expressed misgivings about their request.
