Masters players in no show
Masters Security players yesterday boycotted their TNM Super League match against Mzuni FC at Dedza Stadium to force their club to pay three months salaries and game bonuses.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary (GS)Williams Banda confirmed that the match did not take place because the home team did not show up.
He said the Lilongwe-based outfit, which uses Dedza Stadium as their home, has lost 2-0 and three points to Mzuni FC who travelled all the way from Mzuzu for the fixture.
“I understand they [Masters Security] never turned up for the match. They never gave any reasons,” Banda said.
Though Masters officials were not available for comment, one of the senior players said their action was aimed at forcing the team to pay their dues.
However, Banda said they did not get any communication from the club and that apart from losing the points, Masters also face a fine.
“We will look at the match officials’ report and after that, appropriate action, which will include a fine, will be taken by the disciplinary committee,” he said.
TNM Super League rules and regulations Articles 17 states that “A club that fails to fulfill a fixture without any just cause, shall have the points forfeited and shall be liable to pay a fine of the sum of MK 500 000; the points shall, therefore, be awarded to the opposing team.”
Masters are not new at failing to pitch up.
Two seasons ago, they also failed to travel to Blantyre to play Nyasa Big Bullets at MDC Stadium.
The latest incident comes after Masters players last week snatched K240 000 gate revenue share for their club from the match against Nyasa Big Bullets at Dedza Stadium.
Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda pleaded with Masters executive commitee to put their house in order.
“Masters have a very good team. They need to put their house in order. I would not want to start pointing fingers on who is to blame. But the fact is that what is happening is not good for Malawi football,” he said.
Ironically, Masters are expected to participate in CAF Confederations Cup set to kick off next month.
Meanwhile, in the other TNM Super League matches played yesterday, Nyasa Big Bullets recovered from their last week bad outing in Central Region and whacked Karonga United 5-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Up-and-coming striker Hassan Kajoke and veteran striker Chiukepo Msowoya scored a brace each while defender Pilirani Zonda netted the other goal.
However, the result has no impact on Bullets’ position as they are stuck on fifth with 22 points from 12 games.
Savenda Chitipa United held Civil Sporting Club to a one-all draw at Civo Stadium
Timothy Chitedze scored for Civil while Peter Mughogho was on target for Chitipa. TN Stars held Kamuzu Barracks to a goalless draw.
