Mzuni nods to club sale
TNM Super League side Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC management has agreed in principle to sell the team’s franchise to a South Africa-based company, Gokgotshe Projects.
Uncertainty surrounded the future of the club after Mzuzu University, which owns the team, declared its intention to stop bankrolling it.
The Nation has established that Mzuni FC and Gokgotshe Projects representatives met on Sunday for the first time with support from Touchline Sports Management Agency.
The minutes of the preliminary meeting held in Mzuzu, which we have seen, show that Mzuni executive committee initially wanted a co-sponsor rather than a buyer.
“The chairperson [Albert Mtungambera Harawa] clarified that their intention was to get a co-sponsor for the club as opposed to getting a buyer, but due to the circumstances faced with the club, the executive was ready to weigh the offer from the interested buyer,” the document reads.
Meanwhile, the club has asked for a one-year transition period to change a number of components before the takeover is effected.
“He [Harawa] indicated that the structure of the club was a combination of a number of entities apart from the players.
“He further hinted that currently the team is preparing for the upcoming season,
[including]the Airtel Top 8, and there were already advanced in terms of documentation…” the document reads in part.
In the minutes, the prospective buyers’ representative, Ngwirelupi Mwalughali, emphasised that their intention is to buy the club with no option for co-sponsorship.
“The point [of one year transition] was noted; however, it was clearly indicated that no conclusion could be made at this point as the time requested was long and gave room to so many risks,” the minutes read.
Mwalughali indicated “that a stance would be given in due course, but as indicated, the buyer was willing to do the takeover as soon as possible”.
The two sides have, in the meantime, agreed to meet again on March 22 for documentation handover and offer negotiation, the minutes show.
Meanwhile, Gokgotshe Projects managing director Kgomotso Pitseng has said she is determined to transform the club into a top brand.
“I am planning to get the team to the level of South Africa Premier Soccer League teams. The plan is to manage the club as a proper business with proper structures in place,” she said in an interview.
Some companies have been tricking local sports institutions by promising a lot through sponsorship deals and delivering nothing. Asked if they are just one of those impostors, Pitseng dismissed the suggestion.
“I don’t know much about fraudsters in the industry. However, I would say I have big plans to invest in Malawi and sports is one of the areas,” she said.
Harawa, who has been dodging public discussion on the takeover issues, refused to comment.
