SRFL still battling to register teams

The Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football (SRFL) is still battling to have teams registered ahead of kick-off this weekend with many teams yet to come on board.

SRFL vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye was on Monday still optimistic that come this weekend, the delayed season would finally get on the road. The league was initially set to start last weekend.

“Some teams have collected the registration forms and they are yet to hand them back. So far, some eight teams each in the Premier Division and Division One have registered. We also expect to meet referees and plan for the season,” Simbeye said.

Apart from having the teams pay the K180 000 (about $450) registration fees for each, SRFL also has an outstanding balance with the referees who boycotted the league towards the last stages of last season over their dues in excess of K2 million (about $5 000).

Tigers Youth are among the teams hoping to beat this week’s deadline to register for the Premier Division, according to coach Meke Mwase.

“We will continue with our ambition of being a feeder side to the senior team. We have lost almost six players, but we have replacements: Players such as Paul Chikalema, Mphatso Ibrahim and others have joined other teams such as Escom United,” Mwase explained on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.

Tigers have since intensified on preparations, losing 3-1 to Escom on Thursday then drawing 1-1 with Cobbe Barracks.