22 clubs fold in 13 years

About 22 TNM Super League teams have disbanded since 2010 due to various reasons associated with the challenges of running a top-flight outfit in an ailing economy.

The figure is the highest in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) bloc.

The teams are Blantyre United, Wizards, Escom United, Masters Security, Epac, Nchalo United, Dwangwa United, Michiru Castles, Eagle Beaks, Eagle Strikers, Apollo United, Mponela United, Mzuzu United, Juke Box, Evirom FC, Nkhata Bay United, Zomba United, Blackpool, Cobbe FC, Kabwafu FC, Bvumbwe United and Max Bullets.

Castles, who were the oldest club in the country, were relegated from TNM Super League in 2010 and despite efforts by well-wishers to revive the Blantyre-based outfit that produced Flames legend Ernest Mtawali, the team fell into oblivion after failing to regain its Super League status.

Another fallen giant is Escom United, founded in 1992. It won three Super League titles in 2007, 2008 and 2010, but disbanded in 2012 after getting relegated following loss of sponsorship from Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom).

Their sister side, Escom Reserves, who became Blantyre United after being abandoned by Escom, were promoted to the top-flight league in 2010.

In the 2012–13 season the Blantyre-based side finished third, but in the following season, they struggled due to lack of sponsorship and got relegated.

In 2016, they returned to the top-flight league, only to be relegated again after finishing 15th at the end of the 2017 season and eventually disbanded in 2018.

Wizards were born from Surestream Academy and got promoted to the Super League, with former Flames captain Peter Mponda as its sole owner and they disbanded after getting relegated in 2015 following sponsors’ Fisd Limited’s withdrawal.

Masters Security FC, once a force to reckon with, disbanded in 2019, just four seasons in the national league after their sponsors Masters Security Company abandoned the club before end of the season in which they were relegated.

Mzuzu Warriors, formerly Mzuzu University FC (Mzuni), folded after getting relegated in 2019 season.

Max Bullets disbanded in protest against a K1 million fine for causing abandonment of their match against Epac United at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe in 2016.

Mlatho Mponela earned promotion to the Super League in 2018, but squabbles over ownership between sponsors Mlatho Technologies and Mponela communities, marred their campaign and were eventually relegated before disbanding.

Epac FC sold their TNM Super League status to Civo United who were relegated in 2016. But instead of competing in the lower league in Civo’s place, the team disbanded.

Nchalo United and Dwangwa United became extinct soon after Illovo plc stopped sponsoring them.

Similarly, Eagle Beaks and Eagle Strikers competed in the flagship league and were relegated before they went into oblivion after their owners Malawi Police Service opted to not to sponsor them.

Cobbe FC, Nkhata Bay United, formerly Nkhata Bay Medicals and Zomba United, formerly Zomba Medicals, Evirom, Juke Box FC, Bvumbwe Research, Blackpool and Kabwafu also share a similar story.

They were promoted to the Super League  between 2009 and 2012, but never survived and disbanded after they were relegated.

The number of former Super League teams that have closed shop is the highest in the Cosafa bloc when compared to others leagues in the region such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.

South Africa’s Premier Soccer League has the highest retention rate with just two clubs, namely Vasco da Gama and Thanda Royal Zulu having disbanded in the same period.

The other teams namely, Ajax Cape Town, Bidvest Wits,  later Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Bloemfontein Celtic (Royal AM) , Moroka Swallows (Swallows) changed names after selling their franchise.

Zambia is second on the list, having just four teams namely Circuit City, Lusaka Dynamos, Buildcon and Nakambala Leopards that disbanded during the same period.

Zambian veteran journalist Kalumiana Kalumiana said it is rare for teams to fold in Zambia due to the massive subvention they get from the league sponsors SuperSport.

But Zimbabwe falls in the same category as Malawi with about 15 clubs having disbanded in the said period.

Eight of these, namely Eiffel Flats, Darryn T, Mhangura, Fire Batteries, Black Aces, Shu Shine, Ziscosteel and Tanganda were founding members of the Premier League in 1993 while the others joined along the way.

Football analyst Kevin Moyo said Zimbabwe is in the same boat with Malawi due to the two countries’ economic challenges.

He said: “Despite the different reasons for the disbandment of the teams, you can see that it is related to the economy of the country.

“Zimbabwe has for a long time been battling economic hardships and football, just like other sectors, has been hugely affected.”

Moyo, however, said South Africa is different because they have invested in football despite the country also facing economic challenges.

He said: “South Africa has a very advanced football system. Teams rarely disband despite facing financial challenges.

“The worst that can happen to a club is change of franchise. Whenever a team is in debt or financial problems, there is always someone ready to bail it out by buying the franchise.”

Disbanding of clubs in Malawi has had a huge impact as players end up jobless and club owners often fail to pay outstanding dues.

Teams that disbanded mid-season ended up donating points to others clubs which affect the competitiveness of the league.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said Malawi has a poor culture of buying franchise which helps in minimising disbandment of clubs.

 “Unless we make our clubs attractive to those that can invest in them, we will continue to lose clubs through disbandment.”

Flames coach Patrick Mabedi, who had stints with a number  of South African clubs in his career and as a coach, said the Rainbow Nation’s love football is deep and does not allow their teams to die a natural death.

He said: “There is always someone who comes to the rescue of the teams that are struggling. It is in their football culture.”

In Malawi during the 12 year period, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Silver Strikers FC, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Moyale Barracks FC, Mighty Waka Waka Tigers FC, Mafco, Civil Service United Football Club, Kamuzu Barracks, Blue Eagles and Red Lions are the only teams that have survived while the other current Super League members are newcomers.