Derby cancelled
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has cancelled the Blantyre derby between Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers in the TNM Super League fixture this Saturday at the Kamuzu Stadium.
The cancellation last night follows the reigning champions Bullets’ request to Sulom to postpone the fixture after the number of Covid-19 cases among their players rose from five to 11 on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by general secretary Williams Banda released last evening following the association’s meeting, Sulom says the game will be played at a later date.
Reads the statement in part: “The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) wishes to inform the general public and stakeholders that due to unforeseen circumstances, the match between Be Forward Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets, scheduled for 02/01/21 at Kamuzu Stadium, has been rescheduled to a later day to be communicate.
“Based on strong medical advice the league has received in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture as 28 percent of the registered team members of Bullets are in isolation due to Covid-19 which includes two of their goalkeepers who join another goalkeeper on the injury list.”
The statement also says the rest of the first round fixtures have been reviewed.
“Sulom wishes our colleagues from Bullets a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, train and competition,” it reads.
Initially, Sulom had put its foot down not to allow Bullets’ request to have the game changed.
Yesterday, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said they will not be available for the match if Sulom does not change its decision.
“We have categorically made it clear that we will not play any game this weekend. We have put our players in isolation and we are not thinking of fulfilling any fixture this weekend,” he said.
Nevertheless, Chigoga said they have so far submitted to Sulom details about the players that have tested positive for the pandemic per the league runners’ request.
On their part, Wanderers chairperson Simon Sikwese yesterday said although they symphathise with Bullets, the Nomads will follow Sulom’s advice on the way forward.
“We cannot deny that what has happened to Bullets camp is a crisis. However, we will follow what Sulom will say on the matter because they are the controlling body,” he said.
