FAM halts BB bonanza
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has turned down Nyasa Big Bullets’ request to hold an international bonanza after the club included a Zimbabwean team which is banned by Fifa.
According to Bullets’ application for the licence, they wanted Zimbabwe Premier League giants Dynamos, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and UD Songo of Mozambique to participate in the four-team mini tournament in March.
However, world football governing body banned Zimbabwe Football Association from international football in November 2021 when government removed the association’s president Felton Kamambo and his entire executive, after being accused of corruption, misadministration and sexual harassment of female match officials.
Zimbabwe teams and clubs were later expelled from all international competitions when government refused to comply with a Fifa directive to reinstate the officials.
But Nyasa Big Bullets went on to invite Dynamos for the international bonanza slated for March at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, and the club confirmed their participation.
FAM competitions director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed in an interview that they received an application for a licence for the tournament which they turned down.
He said: “We cannot grant Bullets the license because of the inclusion of Zimbabwe team Dynamos.
“The Fifa ban applies to all national teams and local clubs. It even applies to school teams.
“That is why Zimbabwe teams cannot participate in club competitions.”
Bullets chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda also confirmed the development in an interview.
He said: “We have engaged teams from other countries and we are making progress. You will be the advised soonest as discussions are underway.”
The People’s Team introduced the international mini tournament four years ago and the last one was held in 2020.
The tournament attracted the hosts, Wanderers, Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn and UD Songo.
Chicken Inn won the inaugural tournament after beating Bullets, Wanderers and UD Songo to finish top of the table with nine points.
The tournament was not held in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
