Airtel feel let down
Airtel Malawi plc, sponsors of the Airtel Top 8, have spoken out on their displeasure regarding the protracted controversy of the abandoned quarter-final first leg between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
The dispute, which emanated from the Central Bankers’ controversial second goal after referee Godfrey Nkhakananga had initially blown for a foul, appeared to be headed for a listless conclusion, delaying the tournament in the process as the Nomads protested Football Association of Malawi (FAM) legal organs’ decision to find them guilty of causing the abandonment of the game which was awarded to Silver.
The Nomads, who were further fined K22 million, also refused to show up for the second leg which was also awarded to the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit.
In an interview with the media after Saturday’s sixth edition final between Mafco FC and FCB Nyasa Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Airtel managing director Charles Kamoto said: “As sponsors, we are happy with the way the tournament has ended except for the Wanderers saga which did not please us really.
“Honestly, we wish that football should be played and won on the pitch because such events can discourage sponsors.
“Let us also ensure that officiation is managed well.”
On the way forward after the expiry of the three-year sponsorship deal, he said: “It’s time to get back to our drawing board and discuss opportunities that lie ahead of us and we’ll see what happens.”
Reacting to Kamoto’s concern, Wanderers acting chief executive officer Roosevelt Mpinganjira said: “Well, I agree with him to a certain extent, but when others are aggrieved by football injustices, that is why there are tribunals.”
On his part, FAM president Fleetwood Haiya thanked Airtel Malawi for the sponsorship and the fans for their good conduct, “especially during the final stages of the competition”.
He also said they have already engaged Airtel Malawi on extending the sponsorship with a renewed package.
Said the FAM boss in responding to a question from the media: “Companies are also going through tough economic times, but we are optimistic that they [Airtel] will stay with us and revise the sponsorship package.”
Responding to the proposed sponsorship hike, Kamoto said: “It’s a bit too early to talk about that. We are still in the early stages of reflecting on what has happened in the past.”
FAM and Airtel Malawi plc signed a K234 million three-year sponsorship, translating to K78 million per year with the winner getting K17 million.
Bullets won the latest edition which was the sixth after beating Mafco FC 1-2.
