Charity Shield shifted to April 15

The Chifundo Charity Shield has been rescheduled from this weekend to April 15 due to the national team engagements and delay in Super League kick off.

Presidential Cup champions Nyasa Big Bullets and Super League champions Kamuzu Barracks were expected to clash this weekend.

But confirming the rescheduling of the match yesterday, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Alfred Gunda said the Chifundo Charity Shield marks the beginning of the season; hence it cannot be played while the Super League kick off is uncertain.

“We are still sorting out the issue of the Super League kick off which has been shifted due to sponsorship withdrawal issue,” said Gunda.

“The national team will start camp this weekend in preparation for the Championship for African Nations [Chan] qualifier against Madagascar. As such, it is also not possible to hold the Charity Shield this Saturday.”

However, the general secretary said a decision on the league kick off will be made by next week.

He said: “With or without sponsorship the Super League must kick off within next two or three weeks as we are sorting out other issues. Otherwise, the whole calendar will be affected.”

FAM marketing and commercial and director Limbani Matola said the plan is to hold the Charity Shield just before the Flames leave for Madagascar and kick off the league soon after the Flames second leg against Madagascar .

He said: “The Charity Shield will be played on April 15. A day later, the national team will leave for Madagascar for the Chan qualifier on April 22 in Antananarivo. The return leg will be played  the following weekend on April 29 here at home. The Super League then can kick off after that.”