Nyamilandu apologises to NRFA league sponsor for ‘mess’
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has apologised to the sponsor of the Simama Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) league for the controversy that characterised the past two seasons.
He made the apology on Friday evening in Mzuzu during the official prize presentation ceremony for the league.
“Let me apologise to the sponsor, Bishop [Abraham] Simama for the mess that crippled the league. I am 100 percent sure that this disorder will not happen again. Note that if you destroy this sponsorship, it will be difficult to secure another one.
“Mzuni deserved the championship because they fought on the ground. Having said this, I declare the issue closed, I don’t want madness again,” said Nyamilandu, his voice straining with emotion.
The league was embroiled in controversy after NRFA rescheduled a game between Kaporo Stars and Mzuni FC. Kaporo protested that they were being used to advance the association’s desire to help Mzuni win the league.
Kaporo won the initial match 1-0, but NRFA ordered a replay on the basis that the match did not mature as it was played under the required 90 minutes. Kaporo boycotted the rescheduled match, a decision that led NRFA to award it to Mzuni, thus pipping Chilumba Barracks to the league title by a point.
Nyamilandu said the squabbles that engulfed the league were due to ignorance among football officials on the rules governing the sport.
He said there is urgent need to roll-out training programmes that will enlighten team officials in the region on football modalities.
“Football is entertainment where people should enjoy, interact while upholding unity. I am surprised that this is not the case in the North. My stand is that there is knowledge gap among our officials on the general procedures binding football matters in the country,” said Nyamilandu.
He then instructed NRFA to organise workshops so that team officials should be enlightened on measures associated with football administration before the league kicks off on May 17.
“The picture that is out there is that football in the north is rivalry. We need to change this image,” said Nyamilandu.
For winning the league, Mzuni got a trophy, K900 000 and a certificate of recognition while the runners up, Chilumba Barracks received K450 000.
