Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu says he will not succumb to intimidation as he ponders on whether to seek a fourth term when the association goes to the polls in December.
The FAM president was reacting to some supporters who staged protests against his bid during Airtel Top 8 final between Silver Strikers and Karonga United at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday and yesterday at Civo Stadium during a TNM Super League match between Civil Sporting Club and Be Forward Wanderers.
During the matches, dozens of supporters wore T-shirts emblazoned with Nyamilandu’s face and inscribed ‘Walter Must Fall’. They also erected placards against Nyamilandu’s bid.
Reacting to the protest, Nyamilandu, who has been FAM president for 14 years, said he is not intimidated by the supporters’ stunt.
“I won’t succumb to pressure, fear or intimidation. I will make a sober decision and will not be subjected to duress,” said Nyamilandu.
The FAM president, however, said he was not bitter with the supporters’ action.
“I still love them no matter what they think about me. It’s not good to judge others,” he said.
The supporters’ protests come after Nyamilandu met regional associations’ chairpersons on Friday in Lilongwe.
The president was, according to reports, consulting the regional heads on whether he should contest.
Initially, Nyamilandu announced that he would not seek a fourth term, but last month the FAM president said he had changed his mind and was reconsidering his stance.
He said he will announce his decision in three months
If he decides to stand again, he will likely face his first vice-president James Mwenda, who recently, confirmed being approached by some affiliates to contest for the hot seat.
Ironically, another group of supporters from the Northern Region wants Nyamilandu to contest purportedly to complete projects which he has spearheaded in the region, such as FAM’s Luwinga Technical Centre in Mzuzu.
The supporters belong to Be Forward Wanderers, Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers.
But Soccer analyst Kim Kamau said though Nyamilandu is eligible to contest he should give a chance to others to lead FAM.
“With all due respect Mr. Nyamilandu has done his part. It is high time he left the stage for others to lead. As a good leader, he should know when to exit the stage,” he said.
Fifa recently introduced term limits.
Under the new rules, office bearers can serve three terms only. But Nyamilandu is eligible since the rules and regulations do not apply retrospectively.
