Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has dismissed calls by some clubs to reconsider its decision to kick off the 2021 TNM Super League season on February 26.
Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers and Blue Eagles were some of the teams expressing reservations with the kick-off time.
Among others, the three teams said kicking off in February would be unusual and that they have contributed players to the national team which will be competing at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon and the players will need time to rest and that there is need for a post-mortem before the new season kicks off.
But in an interview on Monday, Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said there cannot be a post-morterm when the clubs are not affiliated.
Reads the statement: “As stated earlier, clubs get affiliated upon payment of requisite affiliation fees.
“The issue of national team players does also not hold because each team registers 30 players. After all, we are dealing with 16 clubs.”
However, Bullets and Wanderers yesterday described Sulom’s stand as unfortunate.
The People’s Team chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “There are a number of issues that need to be addressed and Sulom cannot turn a blind eye to that.
“Teams need ample time to prepare, there are issues of players and technical staff contracts to be dealt with, issues of club licensing and the registration process.
“All these issues need a bit of time. Anyway, as a club, we have raised our concerns to Sulom which they will have to consider.”
Wanderers board secretary Humphrey Mvula said Sulom should not take the approach of master and servant when dealing with clubs.
He said: “They must respect the teams, there should be good relationship.
“When some teams are complaining, it does not mean that they are afraid, but that there should be equity.
“There have been a lot of problems and Sulom cannot bury its head in the sand and pretend that everything is well. Pride is not good.”
On Sulom’s position that clubs register 30 players and, therefore, providing some of them to the national team should not be an issue, Mvula said: “Every team has its best players and it is on that basis that they are selected to the national team.
“You do not register 30 players of equal capabilities.”
He also dismissed the notion of affiliation, saying: “If they are saying teams are not affiliated, then whom are they addressing? If they do not recognise the teams, then whom are they asking to start the league? That impudence of not recognising the teams is wrong.”
Football analyst George Kaudza Masina said clubs that have concerns on the league kicking off next month have a point.
He said: “The 2020/21 season ended just a couple of weeks ago and players need ample time to rest.
“Clubs need to be given adequate time to prepare. The best way for Sulom would be to call for an AGM because there are issues such as Covid-19 effects in the wake of the revived restrictions and venues.
“Sulom should not just look at making money through registration and affiliation. They have to prioritise the interests of the clubs, who are their masters.”
