Wizards, BT Utd yet to register for South league

Relegated Wizards FC and Blantyre United’s participation in the Chitetezo Mbaula Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) League is uncertain as they are yet to register for the 2018 season which kicked off on June 26.

The two teams were relegated from the TNM Super League last season.

SRFA vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye yesterday said the two are among the three teams which have not yet registered. The other one being Polytechnic Football Club.

“Initially, they said they were not sure about their participation, but they have now assured us that they will take part,” he said.

United are supposed to change name having offered their franchise to Ntopwa.

The club’s general secretary Malekano Chisoma yesterday confirmed o

ffering their slot to Ntopwa.

“In essence, Blantyre United was dissolved, but we offered our slot to Ntopwa on the understanding that they will settle outstanding dues that we owe the players and technical staff.

“We had a meeting with Ntopwa’s owner Isaac Jomo Osman a couple of weeks ago here in Blantyre where the agreement was made and we are just waiting to hear from him,” he said.

However, Osman yesterday said they have changed their plans and are now intending to buy Zomba United’s franchise.

“We will play but under Zomba’s slot. We have already had fruitful discussions and we are now finalising,” he said.

Zomba officials could not be reached for comment while Wizards owner Peter Mponda said they will register today.

Meanwhile, Simbeye has said their plans to trim the number of teams in both the Premier Division and Division One have fallen through because of the development.

“We thought the three teams would not take part and, as such, we were working on having three teams, but with the recent developments it means we will have 21 teams.

“Similarly, we have also had many teams applying to join the Division One and that means we will also have the same number 21] of teams,” he said.

The vice-GS said over 10 teams that have registered in Division One are new. n