Mzuni, KB clash over gate revenue
Mzuzu FC and Kamuzu Barracks (KB) have clashed over the former’s demand to pocket the two teams’ gate revenue cut from their TNM Super League match at Kasungu Stadium this Saturday.
The Mzuzu-based side says the arrangement would be reimbursement for expenses they incurred when their initial match in May was postponed at the eleventh hour in Lilongwe.
But the army side has shot down the demand, arguing it has not been party to such an agreement.
In a letter addressed to Super League of Malawi (Sulom), Mzuni have warned that they would boycott the match if the demand is ignored.
Sulom called off the match on May 19 after the army side warned it would not pitch up because most of their players and officials were assigned to provide security during the tripartite elections.
Mzuni said the postponement cost them over K450 000 in accommodation, transport and food.
In the letter dated August 12, 2019, Mzuni said it already agreed with Sulom on the gate collection arrangement, but wanted the league-runner to formalise the agreement.
“Mzuni demands that Kamuzu Barracks should also be communicated to regarding the position that they will not get any money from the gate collections…,” the letter signed by Mzuni general secretary Donnex Chilonga reads in part.
The Northern Region outfit also hit out at Sulom for rescheduling the match before resolving the issue it raised earlier which required a refund for the expenses they incurred or awarding of three points to Mzuni.
“Your proceeding to reschedule the game without addressing our concerns explains a lot of about demeaning and disrespecting character,” the letter reads.
Mzuni has since given Sulom until Thursday to meet their demands or they will boycott the match.
Sulom president Tiya Somba Banda yesterday described Mzuni demands as “not justifiable.”
He could not take further questions in an interview through WhatsApp.
Sulom rules stipulate that a game cancellation should be effective 48 hours before kick-off.
But in an earlier interview, Somba Banda justified the eleventh hour cancellation of the match, saying: “We just had to give priority to matters of national interest.” On his part, KB general secretary Steve Kakuza dismissed Mzuni’s gate collection demands, arguing: “How can that happen? If they have their money problems we also have got our own problems.”
