FAM shifts Chifundo Charity Shield
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has shifted Chifundo Charity Shield from this weekend to next week to pave the way for the Under-20 national football team’s African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Swaziland.
The junior Flames face Swaziland at Bingu National Stadium this Saturday with the return leg set for the weekend of April 20 to 22.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said they felt it proper to give maximum support to the junior national team.
He said: “It would not make sense to hold two important football events at the same time. Let us respect the junior Flames by giving them undivided attention and support.”
Gunda said the shift in the dates was also a blessing in disguise as this would cover the two-week gap that would have been created between the Charity Shield and TNM Super League kick-off.
“The Chifundo Charity Shield ultimately marks the beginning of the 2018 season. But if we had staged it this weekend, we could have created a two-week gap before the Super League starts,” he said.
The FAM GS also confirmed the increase in the number of teams involved from two to four—Super League champions Be Forward Wanderers, Airtel Top 8 winners Silver Strikers, Carlsberg Cup champions Nyasa Big Bullets and Fisd Challenge Cup holders Kamuzu Barracks.
“We felt we should give football fans maximum football entertainment over a period of two days,” he said.
Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda applauded FAM for increasing the number of teams, but had a different view on the shift in the dates.
He said: “I think the notion that people will not come to watch the Under-20 match because of the Chifundo Charity Shield is just fear of the unknown.
“FAM should have taken advantage of the easter holiday which is also coming during a month end when people have just got paid.
“Why not have the Chifundo Charity Shield on Sunday and Monday? After all, the Under-20 match is on Saturday.”
Proceeds from the Chifundo Charity Shield go towards charity.
FAM has in the past partnered Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS).
Nyasa Big Bullets are defending champions, having won the inaugural 2016 and 2017 Chifundo Charity Shield.
