Sulom GS is ‘always against us’—Nomads

 Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have accused Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary (GS) Williams Banda of having a hidden agenda against them.

The accusation is contained in a letter to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on the suspension of striker Christopher Kumwembe after being adjudged to have been shown two yellow cards in the Nomads’ recent TNM Super League match against Mighty Waka Waka Tigers.

The letter, dated May 13 2023 and signed by the Nomads’ board secretary and legal adviser Chancy Gondwe, reads in part: “We write to complain about our player’s suspension in the Mpira Connect system without any formal communication.

“The player is our top striker and currently the leading top goal scorer at Wanderers.

“We noted this scenario when we were about to enter our match sheet against Moyale Barracks [on Saturday].”

The Nomads claim that upon following up on the issue with FAM, they were told that the association had received direction from the Sulom GS that the player must be suspended in the system.

The letter further reads: “We always wonder with the interests of the general secretary when issues to do with Mighty Wanderers are concerned.

“The general secretary is making unilateral decisions and makes unilateral decisions at Sulom just to punish Wanderers for no basis

 at all.

“If at all the decision on Kumwembe was made after reviewing video footages on Monday, why did he keep the information to himself and not formally inform our club and he decides to make his decision just few hours before the kick-off of today’s [Saturday] match?”

Wanderers said they were surprised with the decision because the player did not receive any marching orders to be suspended.

Reads the letter: “ Further to that, as a club we haven’t been accorded any chance of being heard on the alleged video footage

 “The general secretary’s decision is dubious, irregular and irresponsible and his conduct is only aimed at punishing our club for no reason at all.

“We, therefore, seek your clarification on the matter as Wanderers will play this match under protest and whatever results will come out, FAM will take responsibility for acting on baseless dictation from the said Mr. Williams Banda.”

But in an interview yesterday, Banda wondered why Wanderers mentioned him in the letter when the decision was made by Sulom as an institution.

He said: “An institution has a veil and that decision was made by Sulom.

“Anyway, Wanderers have written FAM, Sulom is an affiliate of FAM. I respect corporate veil. Referees issues are technical. So, I respect their rights. I cannot comment much.”

In a letter to the Nomads dated the same day, Sulom said it received an appeal from Tigers to consider reviewing the match in question played on May 7 at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.

Reads the letter in part: “You are hereby informed that the above-stated player has been suspended as he received two yellow cards during the match [between] Mighty Tigers FC and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

“The suspension follows a review of video footage where it is clear that Christopher Kumwembe received two yellow cards.

“As you are aware, rules of the game require that a player receives a red card upon being given a second yellow within the match. Thus, the referee erred in failing to issue a red card as required,”

The letter says upon being questioned, the referee indicated that he inadvertently thought the first yellow card was issued to a different player and not Kumwembe.

It says: “The suspension means that Christopher Kumwembe is not supposed to feature in Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ next two matches.

“Kindly be informed that Sulom has recommended appropriate disciplinary action against the officiating officials.”

FAM GS Alfred Gunda yesterday said they will look into the issue