Buying time

 Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu says he is yet to decide whether to seek a sixth term in the countdown to the football governing body’s polls this December.

As the hype slowly builds up for the FAM elective general assembly behind the scenes, no one has publicly declared interest for any position, but there has been strong speculation linking newly-elected Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Fleetwood Haiya to the position of president.

In an interview on Thursday, Nyamilandu said: “Look, there is still a long way to go before the elections.

“I haven’t thought about that [seeking re-election] as my mind is firmly focused on fulfilling the Raising the Bar manifesto in full…That’s all I can say.”

On his part, Haiya said he will comment on speculations that he is aspiring for the FAM hot seat “at an appropriate time”.

For months, the Nyasa Big Bullets vice-president has been linked with domestic football’s highest seat with some quarters suggesting that the move to contest for Sulom presidency was part of the ground work.

But in an interview on Monday, Haiya said: “My focus now is to ensure that I fulfill the tasks that the clubs entrusted me with as well as fulfilling my manifesto.

“On the issue of contesting for FAM presidency, I will comment later.”

Haiya was elected president for the top-flight football league governing body on February 25 after beating immediate-past president Tiya Somba-Banda by 30 votes against 18 during an elective general assembly in Mangochi.

After his victory some of his supporters were overheard chanting: “Watsala wa FAM, tiwonana mu December [Next is the FAM position, we shall see come December].

Football analyst George Kaudza Masina said the two might have already made up their minds and are only being cautious.

He said: “So far, these are the two names that are being mentioned, but there is still time between now and December and they would rather play it safe by taking a wait-and-see

 approach.

“That said, there is still lots of time ahead and other potential candidates could emerge as we head closer to the polls.”

Another analyst Humphrey Mvula also said he has heard people discussing the two names as potential candidates for FAM presidency.

He said: “But what I would say is that for now Haiya’s priority should be the task he has, to reform Sulom.

“If he wishes to stand for FAM presidency, it is his right as long as he meets the requirements. But for now he has a mammoth task ahead of him because Super League clubs are looking for serious reforms and a focused leadership structure towards real commercialisation as he promised in his manifesto.

“The current gate management system does not favour clubs, but other stakeholders. The league sponsorship is also too small when compared to other leagues within the region.

“So, these are the things that should bother Haiya. I am sure if he succeeds, the future beyond December will be bright because I do not think he can achieve all his promises by December.”

On Nyamilandu, Mvula said: “In the best interest of football, it will be good if he concentrates on fulfilling the mandate that he has at FAM because he was elected to fulfill a set list of expectations that are underlined by the Raising the Bar manifesto.

“Otherwise, if he starts thinking about the next election, he will lose focus.”

Nyamilandu has been FAM president since 2004, 19 years to be precise and a section of the football fraternity has been propagating for change, arguing that the former Flames and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defender has done his part.

During the 2019 elections, he beat his former vice-president James Mwenda while during the 2014 polls he saw-off Wilkins Mijiga and Willie Yabwanya Phiri. In 2011, he defeated former Sulom president Henry Chibowa. n