Clubs resubmit licensing documents, await fate

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says all the 15 TNM Super League clubs which failed the initial club licensing test re-submitted the documents by cut-off point on Friday.

Except for FCB Nyasa Bullets, the other flagship league teams had earlier failed to meet minimum requirements.

In an interview yesterday, the association’s club licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale said the teams now have another chance to be considered for licences by FAM’s First Instant Body (FIB).

He said: “All the submissions are done, we are just compiling and reviewing as per FIB guidance.

“But let me put it straight that submission of the documents does not mean they now qualify for licences as that will be determined by the FIB upon scrutiny.”

The clubs will now be keeping their fingers crossed on the outcome as the FIB is set to meet within the week to go through the documents before making the final determination, according to Jangale.

The teams that will not make the grade will be disqualified from the league.

Rookies Fomo FC general secretary Jimmy Maloya, in an interview yesterday, admitted that as a new team, they faced some challenges in meeting some of the requirements.

“For example, as a team coming from the lower league, we failed to produce audited accounts.

“On the ownership aspect, we worked hard to register the team as a standalone company. We ran up and down consulting lawyers to come up with ownership documents.”

On his part, Creck Sporting Club board chairperson Muhammad Seleman, whose outfit is also a newcomer, said: “We have complied with the requirements and all documents were submitted.

“The major challenge we faced was that the processes were too many to be completed within a short period.

“A lot of documents had to be submitted, including copies of contracts for players and coaches.”

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers chief executive officer Panganeni Ndovi also confirmed submitting their paperwork.

According to the results released by the FIB last week, among others, most of the clubs failed to submit proof of having a permanent secretariat and registration as a legal entity.

They also failed to submit a comprehensive budget for the 2024 season as well as business and marketing plans.

Some of the clubs also failed to submit a declaration of no outstanding debts with other clubs, their players, coaches, FAM and the Super League of Malawi.