Northern Region Premier League side Mzuzu City Rangers FC have no money to participate in this year’s Simama League, according to club general secretary Andrew Phiri.
The team depends on contributions from club officials, who are mostly vendors, at Mzuzu Main Market.
Phiri said the vendors have since revealed that they will not manage to fund the team in 2015 because they have other financial commitments.
Mzuzu City Rangers have been a good side in the league.
In the 2014 Simama League, Rangers finished on position four.
The team claimed a double over Northern Region TNM Super League newly promoted side Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC.
Meanwhile, the majority of its players have joined Super League teams.
For example, Wanopa Gondwe is with Red Lions, Andy Kamwela is with Moyale Barracks FC, Noel Kakota, Lucky Nyoni and Victor Gondwe are loaned to Mzuni FC while Dan Sibale is with Azam Tigers.
According to Phiri, the club needed K2.1 million (US$4 667) to participate in the league.
“We, therefore, resolved that we should not take part in the league. We will rejoin Division One just to keep the team’s name,” said Phiri.
Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) treasurer Chauka Mwasinga confirmed Rangers scenario, but described the situation as a setback towards football development.
Mzuzu City Rangers joined the Premier League in 2008.
