The Southern Region Football League (SRFL) and its Northern counterpart (NRFL) have bemoaned the relegation of Bvumbwe Research and Kabwafu United from the Super league, just a season after they won promotion from the two leagues respectively.
SRFL and NRFL leadership said it a cause of concern that every season teams that win promotion from their leagues just stay in the top flight league for a season.
This is contrary to the Central Region whose league winners in the past three years Epac, Mafco and Kamuzu Barracks have all managed to retain their Super League status.
SRFL chairperson Trouble Kalua and NRFL vice-chairperson Lameck Khonje said the relegation of the three teams is a disappointment to the league.
Said Kalua: “They were doing well and at one point were on top and beat top teams. But they just could not handle the pressure.
“Lack of funding affected them as they could not buy quality players and did not have enough time to rest. They started the league just three weeks after finishing the regional league. So, the unharmonised calendar contributed to the downfall,” said Kalua.
Bvumbwe join Zomba United, Blackpool and Cobbe Barracks, who also got relegated just after a season in the top flight league.
The case has been the same for the North as Kabwafu follow the footsteps of Kradd, Mzadd, Nkhatabay Police, Duke Box, Embangweni and Ekwendeni, who in the past few years only came to say hie to the top flight league and went back.
“It is a cause for concern indeed that our teams are becoming mere passengers in the Super League. We cannot be relying on Moyale alone.
“We are strategising that maybe the team that wins promotion this season should be properly guided to ensure they go and compete and not donate points,” Khonje told ZBS.
And as if not getting relegated is not enough, most relegated teams end up disbanding.
Zomba United and Blackpool disbanded after getting the chop just like Duke Box, Embangweni, Kradd and Mzadd.
“It is so sad that even after getting relegated they die natural deaths. This is because most of the outstanding players are snapped by the other Super League teams. So it becomes hard for them to start rebuilding.
“ But the teams are also sponsored by individuals and they become frustrated after spending a lot of money in the Super League with no results they are unmotivated to fund them again in the lower league,” said Khonje.
CRFL head Dean Josiah-Banda was proud of Kamuzu Barracks for maintaining the legacy of Mafco and Epac.
“It raises the profile of the league as it shows we are developing. The sponsors are also excited as this shows their investment is worthwhile. We believe the team that is going to be promoted this season will emulate the example,” said Josiah-Banda.
