TNM Super League rookies Baka City FC and Fomo FC have attributed their relegation woes to lack of adequate resources.
Lilongwe-based Creck Sporting Club is the only newly-promoted team that is guaranteed survival. They are seventh with 36 points from 25 games and could go up further.
Baka have become the first side to be relegated in the 2024 season as even if they win their remaining four games, they will still not escape the chop.
They anchor the 16-team top-flight with 11 points from 26 matches, having won twice, lost 19 and drawn five.
On the other hand, Mulanje-based Fomo are third from the bottom with 22 points from 25 matches.
Ironically, Baka only registered their second win on Wednesday when they beat Fomo 2-1. Their other victory was against Bangwe All Stars whom they beat 2-0 at Karonga Stadium on June 29.
very tough
The club’s chairperson Bentley Chaula Jembe said in an interview on Wednesday that without sound financial muscle, it was going to be tough to stand the heat in the top-flight.
He said: “The calculations do not favour us at all. Our hope was that with the introduction of the National League next season, we would have a chance of escaping relegation through play-offs.
“But when we sought clarification from Sulom, we were told that there will be no play-offs.”
Jembe said without sound financial back up, it was difficult for the club to meet most of its operational costs, especially motivating the players.
He said their budget at the start of the season was pegged at K100 million.
Said Jembe: “But apart from the K20 million subventions we got from Sulom and FAM [Football Association of Malawi], we only raised K30 million and we had to rely on handouts from well-wishers and officials.
“We have learnt the hard way and next time we will be better prepared.”
In a separate interview, Fomo general secretary Jimmy Maloya said: “Honestly, the survival journey is getting tough, but we remain optimistic.
“Our major challenges have been finance hiccups and officiation. That said, it has been a learning experience.”
On the other hand, Creck Sporting’s board chairperson Muhammad Selemani and interim coach Joseph Kamwendo attributed the club’s impressive run to the support they get from their patron Apostle Clifford Kawinga.
Said Selemani: “The club patron is someone who believes in quality and quantity. He appointed a board comprising individuals of different professions. It is even hard for me to influence the decisions of the board [as chairperson].
“Secondly, he prepared well in terms of resources for supporting the team in the elite league. It is not possible to survive or finish in the top four or five in the league if you do not have adequate resources to support your team.
“So, credit goes to the club patron for this. You would agree with me that the teams that are enjoying sponsorship have not performed badly in the league. Good sponsorship is key to success of our clubs.”
On his part, Kamwendo said: “The players and technical staff, we are all motivated because of the fottune he invests in the team.
“He also put together a good board and sound management team. For us, the technical team, they support our plans, in terms of bringing in good players, as a result, everything works according to plan.”
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said Baka and Fomo did not beef up their teams adequately due to financial constraints which led to their struggles.
He said: “Baka didn’t make any investments to secure players with Super League experience. To an extent, that is also what Fomo did. No wonder both have struggled to stay afloat.
“On the other hand, Creck have put in significant resources, buying players or getting them on loan to beef up their squad. And those efforts have borne them fruits. The side is quite safe and vying for a slot in the top eight group.”
Over the years, most newly-promoted sides have struggled to remain in the Super League mainly due to financial constraints and they include Mzuzu Warriors, TN Stars, Extreme FC, Epac FC, Ntopwa FC, Wizards FC, Nchalo United, Masters Security and Max Bullets.
Most of them have since folded.
