Clubs lose faith: Accuse Sulom of favouring Wanderers

Sulom’s failure to act against Mighty Wanderers despite undisputable evidence of the Nomads breaching transfer regulations has resulted in clubs losing confidence in the league’s administrators.

The transfer saga of Tony Chitsulo

from Silver Strikers to Mighty Wanderers FC in which Wanderers issued a cheque while knowing that there were no funds in their account is not the only wrangle the Nomads have been involved in.

The Nomads also owe Azam Tigers K5.2 million (US$12 440) for the sale of Mike Kaziputa, Timothy Chitedze, Kondwani Lufeyo and Mapopa Msukwa, according to the club’s chairperson Sydney Chikoti.

Chikoti said just as was the case with Silver’s Chitsulo, the cheque Wanderers issued to Tigers was referred to drawer yet Sulom failed to ensure that Wanderers paid for the players or stop them from using the players.

“It is clear Sulom have failed us, whether deliberately or not, but we know they cannot act against Wanderers. Our hope now rests in the mediation committee that the Football Association of Malawi has set up,” Chikoti told Weekend Nation on Thursday.

Blantyre United, who have engaged lawyers to help them recover K150 000 (US$359) from Wanderers for the services of Abraham Kamwendo said the Nomads committed a criminal act by issuing a cheque which was not honoured by the bank because there was no money.

“What Wanderers did was pure criminal and we tried to engage Sulom but nothing came of it. Sulom told us that they are tired of Wanderers and told us to take any action we thought could help push them to pay. Now we are seeking legal redress,” said Blantyre United coach and patron Lawson Nakoma.

Nakoma said even Fifa does not condone criminal activities as they bring the game of football into disrepute.

He said the problem with teams such as Wanderers and Big Bullets is that they have huge support base but they have no money.

“These clubs are run by the fans and not the elected executive members and that is why they fail administratively. It is a pathetic situation. During the transfer window, they lure players by promising heaven, yet they do not have money,” said Nakoma.

Silver, who are owed K1.9 million (US$4 545) by Wanderers for the sale of Chitsulo listed accusations of double standards by Sulom.

“While Sulom has treated Wanderers in this way, it is a different story with other teams. For example, Sulom advised us to stop featuring Young Chimodzi Jnr if we did not pay Escom United. They failed to act on transfer of players from Epac to Kamuzu Barracks despite heavy protest from Epac owners. There are many examples where Sulom has failed to act against Wanderers,” said Silver treasurer Fred Kalonga.

He said Silver had to engage the High Court to stop Wanderers from using Chitsulo.

“Sulom is clearly showing that it favours other teams in getting players free without paying a single tambala to clubs that spent a lot in developing the players,” said Kalonga.

Sulom, president Innocent Bottomani dismissed claims that they favour Wanderers. Instead, he blamed the teams for what he described as “rushed deals”.

“We are a fair and professional organisation. Why should we favour Wanderers? The fact of the matter is that we were not consulted on most transfer deals these clubs made with Wanderers.

“They only came to us after the deals had been done. That makes it difficult for us to intervene,” said Bottomani.

He appealed to clubs to engage Sulom when brokering deals so that they should act as witness.

“In the case of Tigers, we set a date for mediation, but it is Tigers officials who failed to turn up. We are saddened that there is this false impression about us. We are there for all teams to develope football in the country,” he said.

Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said it is unfortunate that his club’s name is being tarnished yet there are many clubs out there which are yet to pay for players they acquired from Wanderers.

“We are owed money, too. Blue Eagles are yet to pay us K300 000 for Duncan Mkandawire whom they have sold to Civo. Silver Strikers are yet to pay Civo for Chawanagwa Kaonga. Of course, we are yet to honour Silver and Tigers, but we are not the only team,” said Kanyenda.

He said it is not that they do not want to pay Silver, but they want the court case withdrawn first..

“As a matter of fact, we have written Fifa on this issue. We will be waiting for their intervention,” said Kanyenda.