Kanyenda says closed door football can affect clubs
Former Flames prolific striker Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda fears that playing football behind closed doors could choke teams financially.
The former South Africa and Russia-based professional was reacting to suggestions that the TNM Super League season should start with supporters not allowed to watch games as a preventive measure to the Covid-19 pandemic on social distancing.
“I don’t think it will be a good idea to start the TNM Super League behind closed doors because most teams in the country depend on gate revenue to pay players’ salaries, and upkeep allowances.
“This can be done if Sulom and FAM can come up with modalities to assist the teams to cushion their operation costs,” said Kanyenda in an interview with MIJ Radio.
Mzuzu Warriors general secretary Donnex Chilonga was quoted two weeks ago in our sister paper The Nation, as saying: “We are of the view that if the league season is to start without sponsors, Sulom and FAM should extend the Covid-19 relief fund to clubs for transport, accommodation and meals.”
Football analyst Kevin Moyo urged FAM to subsidise the cost of hosting matches using CAF and Fifa funds.
“With the spike in the numbers of new Covid-19 cases, business as usual attitude cannot work. Clubs and FAM should look at how football can resume minus fans and also look at a bailout package for the game,” he said.
