Sulom awaits FAM decision on fixtures

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says it is waiting for official communication from FAM before it can effect changes to this week’s TNM Super League fixtures in view of the Cosafa Cup tournament.

Following the release of the final squad by Flames interim coach Patrick Mabedi on Monday night, it means as per Sulom regulations, FCB Nyasa Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers are supposed to be exempted from fixtures, having contributed four or more players to the Malawi National Football Team.

In an interview yesterday, Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said: “We will wait for official communication and response [from FAM] on the need to review the dates and calendar as it is very congested.

“The inclusion of the Castel Challenge Cup is giving no space; hence the need to consider the health of the competition as this has the potential to deter the performance and development of football in Malawi.

“It’s for us football administrators to ensure that sponsors get the return on their investment.”

He also said their initial agreement with FAM was that clubs’ key players would not be picked for the Cosafa Cup as it is a developmental tournament.

“It is [also] not on Fifa calendar, that was the agreement,” he said.

But FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said the issue will be looked into by the association’s competitions committee.

“If that is the case, then it is just a matter of the committee sitting down to review the calendar, otherwise the expectation is that Sulom will exempt the clubs in accordance with its rules and regulations,” he said.

According to this weekend’s TNM Super League fixture, Wanderers are scheduled to face Mafco FC at Chitowe in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota while Silver will face Extreme FC at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Bullets are expected to host Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.