Epac spit fire at MDF teams

Epac FC have threatened to take to court Malawi Defence Force (MDF) teams if they continue poaching and signing their players without following procedures.

The club’s owner Dean Josiah-Banda said this in an interview on Thursday, a day after he had presented MDF Commander General Henry Odillo with a letter of grievances on the conduct of Army teams.

This follows the development that Kamuzu Barracks FC have poached four Epac players; namely Noel Mlelemba, Wonderful Dimeo, Alex Nkhwazi and Vincent Mphepo whereas goalkeeper Jailosi Kapalamula is in Salima with Mafco.

Last season, Kamuzu Barracks also poached Lemani Nthala, Benjamini Issa and Steven Unyolo from Epac, whom they signed without paying anything.

Banda said they requested Odillo to intervene and stop his teams from exploiting civilian clubs.

“We have asked them to follow proper procedures by approaching us and striking a deal with us because we own the players.

“We will go to court and Fifa if they do not stop or send our players back. We also plead with the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) not to clear the players without our blessing as they did last season,” he said.

Banda said he is bitter because he spends his personal resources to develop players only for Army teams to come and snatch them away.

Odillo could not be reached for comment just like Army sports spokespersons who are busy with the Army games currently under way in Salima.

According to Epac general secretary Roy Mdechi, they have copied the letter to Sulom, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and all Army teams.

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said they were yet to receive the letter which he said they would act on accordingly.

But he said the resolutions at the FAM, Sulom and Super League teams on transfer procedures regarding Army teams are in force and should be respected.

“All clubs from the Armed forces and Police should be participating as any other club on the market when buying and selling players. MDF and Malawi Police Service were told to reorganise themselves and report back to FAM/Sulom this week on the outcome of their internal consultations but they have not done that yet.

“Kamuzu Barracks officials were there and I wonder why we have a query about them when they were told the way to go,” said Nyirenda.

Army and Police teams have not been buying or selling players.

In the past two years, the MDF has intensified recruitment of athletes including football players in rebuilding their sports teams and they entice them by offering them employment as soldiers.