Wrangle over Mponela United ownership
Mponela community spearheaded by group village head (GVH) Henry Kaunda are against the idea of selling Mponela United Football Club.
According to Central Region Football Association (CRFA), Mponela Utd, a Chipiku League outfit, is on the verge of being sold to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar).
The team, currently sponsored by Mlatho Technologies Company, is owned by one Gracious Chikoma but there is a wrangle with community of Mponela over the team’s ownership.
In an interview, GVH Kaunda said the team belongs to the community.
“The team should not be sold. The team belongs to the community so no one can claim or sell it,” he said.
CRFA chairperson Austin Ajawa, although confirming that Chikoma owns the team, also shared the same sentiments.
“According to our records, the team belongs to Chikoma, but they can discuss. Selling the team will mean killing football at Mponela,” he said.
Chikoma said he as the owner of the team, is at liberty to do with it as he wishes.
“No one can have a say on my property. This is strange to me and it’s unfortunate. I bought the team at K200 000 in 2014 from the owner Franciano Bashari who wanted to sale it to Mchinji,” he said.
The team was sold to Chikoma after it was relegated from the Super League together with Mzuzu United and Evirom.
It then merged with Chris Allan FC who were playing in the CRFA Chipiku Lague.
The team lost most of the players after it was relegated.
Frazer Menyani joined Azam Tigers while Fabio Kapinde, Hasten Kamanga and Mude Jeffrey joined Epac FC.
Goalkeeper Chakonda Majanga was signed by Blue Eagles.
Currently, the team is sponsored by Mlatho Construction Company. n
