Odillo calls on FAM to arrest violence
Army Commander Henry Odillo has challenged the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to move with speed and arrest the violence against Malawi Defence Force (MDF) teams.
“FAM has to take this seriously; otherwise, we are heading in the wrong direction. We have to investigate and get to the root of this.
“It must be done collectively. There might be a few individuals who want to spoil things. I am appealing to clubs to take responsibility,” Odillo said yesterday when asked to comment on violence that occurred recently when Army teams’ played civilian teams.
The Southern Region Police has since produced a report, recommending to FAM how violence at football matches can be dealt with.
Southern Region Police publicist Nicholas Gondwa confirmed the news on Wednesday.
“Our officer superintendent Julius who was injured on the neck and right hand by fans on Sunday at the Kamuzu Stadium has recovered and is back on duty,” Gondwa said.
FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda and president Walter Nyamilandu were on Wednesday not readily available to comment.
“What we have established is that the teams haven’t accepted the loss of sponsorship and frustrations have crept in. They are venting their anger on the wrong course. We are trying to come to the bottom of it and we’ll be meeting officials of various teams to see how best we can address the situation,” Nyamilandu toldThe Nation’s Tuesday edition.
Kamuzu Barrracks (KB) earned the wrath of the civilian fans that threw stones, unhappy that Blantyre United, the only surviving civilian team in Carlsberg Cup, was trailing 2-0.
KB general secretary Dickson Ntontholo on Wednesday said as people who believe in discipline, they would remain calm and let football regulations apply.
The fans also caused trouble during Evirom’s Carlsberg Cup quarter-final against Red Lions at Kamuzu Stadium a fortnight ago, forcing a replay.
Army teams are enjoying sound support from MDF; hence, they are targetted by supposed Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers sympathisers reportedly annoyed at MDF teams’ cup dominance. The two giants are set to lose Carlsberg Malawi Limited sponsorship next season.
Mafco won the Presidential Cup and now either Moyale Barracks or Kamuzu Barracks could seize the Carlsberg Cup this Saturday.
This is the case of a hunter being hunted. Violence from whichever source should be strongly condemned. I am glad the Army Commander has now come out in the open. One wonders where was he all this time when the army team supporters have been terrorizing civilian supporters. That’s what happens when you always beat a kid – little do you know that you are hardening the kid and don’t be surprised when one day the kid retaliates. Having said that, I join the rest in condemning the recent spates of violence towards the army teams. Most importantly, let the army teams be exemplary in their attitude towards the civilian teams and its supporters.
Zoona Hypo these thugs who pretended to be soldiers were a menace to civilians and now bwana wawo waona kuwawa. Hehey!!