FAM, Tigers reach compromise

FAM and Azam Tigers FC have reached a compromise regarding continued participation in the Presidential Cup following the team’s involvement in a road accident along Chikhwawa Road last Sunday.

The accident left many of their key players injured and the team’s management initially asked FAM to shelve their games for between four and six weeks to enable the players to recuperate.

But Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka on Wednesday said following a meeting with the club’s management, in particular their board chairperson Sydney Chikoti, it was agreed to give them two weeks.

“We had a fruitful meeting with Tigers. Much as we understood their situation, we reached an amicable agreement that they should play their Presidential Cup first-round fixture against Balaka Socials on June 2.

“We informed them that the tournament is supposed to end on June 29 so that it does not spill into the next financial year,” said Zakazaka.

He said Tigers had requested special consideration to be allowed to register at least five more players, but FAM referred them to Sulom [Super League of Malawi] because they are using the league’s registration cards for the tournament.

Chikoti confirmed compromising with FAM.

“Quite a number of players will [still] not be available, but to allow the process to move on, we will try to organise ourselves,” said Chikoti.

He also appealed to players who think can make the grade to report for trials at the club’s training venue, Country Club Limbe starting Friday morning.

“Those that feel can fit into our establishment are free to come for assessment,” said Chikoti.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said they would allow Tigers to register other players on condition that they should not belong to other Super League teams.