What was meant to be a landmark moment for Malawian football yesterday descended into chaos at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, where the highly anticipated FDH Bank Premiership launch match between Mighty Wanderers and Karonga United failed to kick off.
Fans had streamed into the stadium hours before kick-off, eager to witness the official opening of the new season.
Thousands had paid for tickets, with some travelling long distances for the occasion.
By 2pm, all key stakeholders were in attendance, including guest of honour Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Gilbert Mittawa, Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman and FDH Bank officials.
Both teams took to the pitch and warmed up as expected.
But one crucial piece was missing. There were no referees.
Excitement quickly turned into confusion, then anger, when it became clear the match would not proceed.
An inside source confided in Nation on Sunday that FAM ordered the referees not to officiate the match or face a lifetime ban.
The association had earlier ordered Sulom not to host the match at the venue because it is not fit.
There was a flicker of hope when FAM president Fleetwood Haiya arrived at the venue around 3pm and held a meeting with Gangata, Osman and Mittawa behind the VIP stand.
After the meeting, both teams returned to the pitch, raising expectations among the restless crowd.
But moments after the official postponement announcement, tempers boiled over.
Angry fans demanded refunds, forcing police to fire teargas to disperse the crowd.
By press time, both FAM and Sulom had yet to issue statements explaining the fiasco.
Wanderers chief supporters Yona Malunga described the development as uncalled for.
He said: “This is a sad day in football hostory. As fans, we are really disappointed with what has happened today.”
Football analyst George Chiusiwa in an interveiw slammed the handling of the event, warning that such incidents risk damaging the league’s credibility.
He said: “It is unfortunate and embarrassing that this incident has displayed utter disrespect of the governance and regulatory framework of the country’s football.
“The football governing body, FAM, clearly communicated on the certification of fitness of all stadia earmarked to host elite league games, but Sulom chose to act otherwise in a blatant display of insubordination and open defiance.
“We would expect honest dialogue between the two bodies to resolve the matter way before the day of the scheduled match.”
