National Sports

Complex Madrid risk disqualification

Zomba-based Complex Madrid risk disqualification from the Presidential Cup for featuring striker Aiko Maluwa in their game against Silver Strikers on Saturday.

The non-league side gave the soccer fraternity a cinderella tale of the year with a 2-1 upset against the reigning Super League champions that sent the Bankers packing from the national showpiece. Maluwa scored both goals for Complex Madrid.

According to Nation Online investigations, Maluwa featured for Chinamwali at district level in a game they lost 5-4 on post-match penalties to Complex Madrid.

He emerged the top scorer at district level with 15 goals and was awarded K10 000 (about $40).

A well-placed source confided in Nation Online that Complex Madrid roped in Maluwa following his exploits with Chinamwali FC.

“In fact, in the final match [at district level] Maluwa scored one of the penalties for Chinamwali,” said the source.

Efforts to get comment from Maluwa proved futile on Monday while their coach Harrison Chiunda refused to comment on the issue.

“I have also heard about the issue, but it will be difficult for me to comment anything,” said Chiunda.

However, Zomba District Football League (ZDFL) chairperson Rajabu Namaraka confirmed that Maluwa was under investigation.

“I am currently checking the records to see if he indeed featured for another team at district level. There could be that possibility, but I will have to check the documents properly,” said Namaraka.

Silver Strikers vice-chairperson Daudi Ntanthiko on Monday confirmed that his team has lodged a complaint to the organising committee of the competition.

“We have indeed lodged a complaint against Complex Madrid for featuring two players that were ineligible namely Maluwa, who scored both goals, and Steve Bauti.

“We have established that these players played for a different team in the same competition at district level. So, we expect Complex Madrid to be disqualified as per rules and regulations of the tournament,” said Ntanthiko.

FAM competitions manager Casper Jangale confirmed receiving Silver’s complaint saying it was being looked into.

Mighty Wanderers have also lodged a complaint against Bvumbwe Research for allegedly featuring three ineligible players.

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