Silver board chair quits

TNM Super League side Silver Strikers board of trustees chairperson Kelvin Mmangisa has resigned following accusations by the supporters committee leadership that he was bringing “confusion to the club” and “wrongly interfering in the club’s operations”.

The seasoned football administrator confirmed his resignation in a telephone interview with yesterday.

Mmangisa was accused alongside another trustee, McDonald Mafuta Mwale, who told The Nation that he would also step down from his role at the Lilongwe-based Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) sponsored outfit.

The resignations follow a reportedly emotional meeting at the Silver Strikers base in Area 47 yesterday morning called by RBM Governor Dalitso Kabambe who is the club’s patron which was also attended by the executive committee, board of trustees and supporters committee.

The supporters’ chairperson, King Malaya, said in an interview that during the meeting, they petitioned the governor to axe the two trustees because they were dragging the club “backwards”.

“These two have been handling this team as theirs. They have not been in good books with the executive committee and almost everybody working at the club. This is why up to now the team has not started preparations for the new season and has not beefed up the squad,” he said.

In his reaction, Mmangisa said in an interview that he resigned instantly and described the allegations against them as politically-motivated.

“What kind of interference are they talking about? I believe that we were very strict on ensuring that the finances of the club were not wasted. There is a culture in Malawi that when you stop bad things from happening you are the bad one,” he said.

Mmangisa suspected that there were some people who were pulling the strings behind supporters.

“I am experienced enough to know what is happening. My resignation is not admission that I am guilty. It is just that I have a reputation to protect. After all, I don’t benefit anything from the position,” he said.

Responding to the allegation in an interview with this paper, Mwale hit back at the supporters for raising serious allegations that were unfounded.

“For instance, they accused me of firing coaches in the presence of the players and initiating transfer deals for my personal gains. I don’t remember doing all this,” he said.

Mwale, who once served as Silver chairperson, said he was shocked that after his long service to the club he was being forced out unceremoniously.

“N’zoonadi kuti mkango ukakalamba, agalu amaukuwa [In life many people are ungrateful. They do not appreciate one’s good deeds],” he said. 

Mwale said he was planning to meet the governor to tender his resignation: “I didn’t resign instantly because I thought it was worthwhile to meet the governor, discuss the matter and resign,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the petition, the supporters also demanded that the club buy new players to make the club competitive again, having gone the whole of last season without winning a trophy.

They have also asked the RBM to order the team to resume training in preparation for the new season.

The supporters, according to Malaya, also want the outgoing club executive committee led by Ralph Tseka to be handed another term.

Meanwhile, the governor, according to multiple sources who attended the meeting, has promised to respond to the petition within 48 hours.