Sulom says league breaks not definite
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has said the arrangement to have the TNM Super League break when the Flames have international engagements on Fifa dates is not definite.
The domestic top-flight league had a two-week break due to the Fifa international dates to allow the Flames fulfil their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea.
The development came after some clubs proposed to Sulom that teams should not be allocated matches regardless of how many players they have contributed to the Malawi national football team.
Sulom general secretary (GS) Williams Banda said while the current arrangement has been done in line with the national team’s schedule, “we cannot rule out having games in future, especially for teams with no players in the national team and have no financial muscle”.
But Civil Service United GS Ronald Chiwaula and Nyasa Big Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said it would be proper to maintain the status quo.
He said: “The standards have been set, so we have to continue with the trend for the sake of professionalism.
“Reverting to the old system by allowing teams that have not contributed players to the national team will only create confusion. It can also create room for match-fixing.”
On his part, Chigoga said: “Actually, suspending the games during an international break is in keeping with how domestic fixtures in top-tier leagues are managed in the modern times.
“We pray that we should not backslide.”
Sulom rules and regulations stipulate that only teams which contribute four players or more are exempted from fixtures.
Action in the Super League returns this Wednesday with a match between Sable Farming and Waka Waka Tigers at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
