Leo Mpulula is a welcome interruption

Leo Mpulula is such a welcome interruption to domestic football that any attempt to gag him will only serve to undermine the entertainment value of the domestic football league. Mpulula the player, the coach and the man has never ceased to amuse many.

In early 1990s, he was booted out on his first national team training for insulting late coach Matthias Mwenda as being so average in his playing days munkathamanga kupitilira mpira [you were faster than the ball].

Now, as a coach, he has dismissed almost the entire Azam Tigers squad for not being up to the Super League mark. Other players have seen the exit door for daring to read out a hard-hitting Bible verse targeted at him. The drama continues.

And there are many reasons why I think Malawi football needs many Mpululas.

Mpulula’s outbursts might be pure sour grapes, but, at least, he provides the football entertainment. At least, the fans are spared being fed, week in, week out the obvious “it is a 50-50 game.”

You see, the culture of diplomacy common in the country also has its place in football people; prefer to smile and flatter each other.

Ulipo? Koma ndewasowa (when you are right there in front of their nose), ndakunyadila (whatever that means), ndiwe big man wankulu etc. These nails down my point.

All nonsense really!

There is nothing like calling a spade a spade in Malawi.

The system in Malawi is tailor-made to reward loyalty and friendship over competence. Even more in football.

Because few people speak out the truth about things and people, the honest ones are easily picked and victimised.

Which is why Mpulula’s remarks during the week when he questioned the merit (or lack of it) in the Flames’ players selection and officiation, he was portrayed as having committed a grave crime.

But before any attempt to gag Mpulula, there are questions that must be answered about this man.

When he speaks out, does he make sense? Not all the time, but most of the times he does. And in perfect English.

Mpulula is not the first and the last to question Malawi officiation standards.

Perhaps what was faulty was the manner in which he voiced out his concerns. Blame the absence of coaches’ code of conduct not Mpulula.

His other argument that Big Bullets do not have players fit for the national team is subjective.

I disagree with Mpulula as, a month ago, he praised Bullets’ Gabadinho Mhango as the best.

But that there is no merit in the Flames’ selection is a fact. The only difference is that Mpulula has, openly, spoken out.