FAM to ask Sulom to shift 2nd round kick-off

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will ask the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to delay kick-off of the TNM Super League second round as it clashes with the Flames’ 2017 dead rubber Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Swaziland’s Sihlangu on September 4.

Sulom general secretary (GS) Williams Banda on Saturday announced that the flagship league second round would kick off on September 4 to pave the way for the Flames match which initially, was scheduled for September 3.

But FAM GS Suzgo Nyirenda said: “Under the circumstances, we have no choice but to ask Sulom to shift the kick off date because the change for the Flames game was made by the CAF [Confederation of African Football] as they want it to be played on the same day as the other Group L match between Guinea and Zimbabwe.

“Actually, CAF wanted the Flames match to kick off the same time as that between Guinea and Zimbabwe at 4.30pm, but I had to plead with them considering that we have no flood lights at Kamuzu Stadium and so it was agreed that it should start at 3pm.”

Sulom’s decision to have the second round commencing on September 4 would have meant the Super League having a three-week break.

“We are yet to be communicated to on the change of date for the Flames match. So, we will wait to [officially] hear from FAM as the dates were agreed with them,” said Banda.

Nevertheless, the Sulom GS said the transfer window will still close on August 30.

He also said as of Friday, no transfer registration had been recorded by his office.

“We take it that the clubs are still negotiating,” said Banda. n