Only Dwangwa gets licenced

Fifa-backed club licensing system is still facing challenges as TNM Super League clubs are failing to meet some basic requirements.

Despite the procedure being introduced three seasons ago, Super League clubs are struggling to make the grade in all the five club licensing criteria, namely, sporting, infrastructure, personal and administration, legal and financial.

Meanwhile, Dwangwa United is the only team that has met full requirements to be licensed, according to latest results of the 2018 season licensing process.

The other 15 teams have either been wholly denied the licence or asked to improve for them to qualify following assessment by the First Instance Body (FIB).

Champions Be Forward Wanderers, Mafco FC, Azam Tigers FC, Silver Strikers FC, Blue Eagles FC, Nchalo Utd FC, Masters Security and Moyale Barracks’ submissions were found satisfactory.

However, the teams still have not been granted licences.

Newcomers TN Stars FC, Mzuni FC and Red Lions submissions did not make the grade.

Karonga United, Kamuzu Barracks, Civil Sporting and Nyasa Big Bullets did not submit documents.

Club licensing manager Casper Jangale said the other 15 clubs should appeal to FAM for them to be licensed.

He said: “The other 15 clubs have to appeal to the FAM Club Licensing Appeals Body before Friday, March 23 2018 stating reasons for failure to meet the requirements.

“Failure to do so will result in your club being relegated from participating in the TNM Super League for 2018 season.”

However, it was the same scenario last year when several teams did not qualify for any licence.

Though FAM threatened to bar the clubs from participating in the TNM Super League if they did not meet the requirements, nothing happened

Soccer analyst George Kauza Masina said FAM needs to be firm in implementation of club licensing if the initiative is to bear fruits.