Infighting spreads to nomads camp

Just when it appeared rosy in the blue side of town, it has emerged behind the scenes that all is not well in Be Forward Wanderers FC camp.

The club’s general secretary Mike Butao has stepped aside following disagreements with a top main supporters committee led by chairperson Yamikani Kaliyapa.

According to an inside source, Butao is not amused with the chairperson whom he is accusing of gross interference in the team’s administrative issues.

“Butao is no longer involved in the operations of the club and last week he communicated to the chairperson [George Chamangwana] that he was withdrawing his services because he was not happy that the supporters’ committee chairperson [Kaliyapa] is going out of his way and making decisions that are way above him.

“He [Butao] cited the supporters committee member’s move to force the secretariat to offer Kondwani Kumwenda a contract despite an earlier decision by the technical committee to release him.

“The other issue was about the move by the supporters committee member to grab the team’s gate collection shares from the friendly match against Zomba United,” said the source.

Kaliyapa confirmed the differences with Butao and asked the GS to resign formally than withdrawing his services.

The supporters chairperson also justified his decidosn to have midfielder Kumwenda reinstated after he was laid off.

“Butao wanyanyala [sulking]because he was questioned as to why [Kumwenda] has not been offered a contract,” said Kaliyapa.

“The fans’ stand is that he [Kumwenda] is an exceptional player who should be retained.”

Kaliyapa, however, denied forcing the executive to surrender gate collections during the friendly against Zomba United.

Butao could neither confirm nor deny the issue on Tuesday, saying: “Let me not comment on that. As at now, I am not commenting on issues relating to the team. Talk to either my vice or the chairperson.”

However, Nomads board of trustees secretary Patrick Jumbe confirmed the rift yesterday, but was quick to say the issue was being looked into internally.

“But he has not communicated to us about withdrawing his services. All I can tell you is that the issue will be addressed,” he said.

Butao is considered the Nomads’ administrative hub.

The fallout comes just weeks after an internal wrangle in their rival camp Nyasa Big Bullets, led to mass resignations.

The resignation of Bullets‘ vice-chairperson Sadick Malinga, general secretary Titha Mandiza, treasurer Lipipa came following pressure from supporters and players.

The fight over gate collections at Wanderers comes barely two weeks after Football Association of Malawi (FAM) issued a press statement that supporters should not be involved in gate management.n