Juju cases on the rise
Football analysts have bemoaned the rising cases of juju beliefs in local football, saying it is a recipe for violence.
The analysts said this after Football Association of Malawi (FAM) charged Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Mafco FC for contravening Airtel Top 8 rules and regulations during their quarter-final first leg on November 6 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on issues relating to juju beliefs.
After the match some Nomads supporters allegedly poured a liquid substance on Mafco players, prompting the Salima-based Malawi Defence Force side players to react violently against the referees after the match which ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts.
One of the analysts Charles Nyirenda said it is sad that issues of juju are getting out of hand.
He said: “This juju belief is killing our football. Juju is just superstition. If indeed juju works, then Malawi should have qualified for Qatar Fifa World Cup.”
Another analyst Felix Ngamanya Sapao said there is need for clubs to do more in educating their supporters to refrain from juju beliefs.
“Clubs need to stress to their fans that juju does not win matches. Juju is just psychological and teams end up paying hefty fines for the sins of their fans,” he said.
The Nomads have been charged with bullying opponents contrary to Article 22.13 of the tournament’s Rules and Regulations and putting the game into disrepute contrary to Article 67 of the FAM Disciplinary Code, according to the charge letter.
FAM’s letter to the Nomads reads: “Mighty Mukuru Wanderers supporters poured liquid substances on Mafco players in the tunnel when they were going to the dressing room at half-time. The supporters also harassed a Mafco kit master by confiscating papers from him at half-time.
“Wanderers failed to control their supporters from engaging in improper conduct as per Count 1 above and their actions brought the game of football, FAM and name of the sponsor into disrepute.”
Mafco, on the other hand, have been charged with bullying and threatening match officials contrary to Article 22.13 of the 2022 Airtel Top 8 Cup Rules and Regulations and Article 59 of the FAM Disciplinary Code.
The charge sheet reads: “Mafco player Richard Mbulu harassed match officials soon after the match by threatening to kill them and daring them never to come to Chitowe Stadium. He later led a group of Mafco players that blocked the match officials’ designated exit gate forcing the match officials to use another gate.”
FAM also says Mafco’s action brought the game of football into disrepute.
Both clubs have been given 48 hours to respond to the charges, according to FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka.
Wanderers legal adviser Chancy Gondwe acknowledged receipt of the charges, saying they will ask FAM to produce evidence.
Mafco said they will respond to the charges as required by FAM.
