Sulom rejects request to extend transfer window

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has turned down some clubs’ request to extend the transfer window by a week.

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers and Fisd Wizards were some teams which asked for an extension in the transfer window.

The transfer window closed last Friday and Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda, who doubles as acting general secretary, said it will not be extended.

Wanderers general secretary Mike Butao asked for the extension of the transfer period on the basis that while other teams were busy on the market, their focus was on the Carlsberg Cup final while Wizards’ chairperson Mike Tembo said teams were not able to finalise the transfer deals due to fee negotiations

“And some clubs are locked in some wrangles which have resulted in Sulom’s intervention,” said Tembo.

However, Somba-Banda said the arrangement will not change as the transfer period was already extended by two weeks.

“According to the Transfer Rules and Regulations, the transfer window is supposed to be open for four weeks and the recent one run from July 28 to August 28,” he said.

The Sulom spokesperson also said there was no major transfers during the transfer window.

“The only one that is pending is that of Epac defender Boston Kabango. Initially, indications were that they were negotiating with Fisd Wizards, but in a latest development, he is now linked with a move to Be Forward Wanderers,” he said.

He also confirmed that for the second time, Wanderers have failed to finalise Civo United and Flames right-back John Lanjesi’s deal. Wanderers have also not been successful in their pursuit for Azam Tigers’ Yamikani Chester.

“The indications were that they had agreed, but there seems to have been a change of mind on the part of Civo,” said Somba-Banda.

In a related development, the Sulom official also said Big Bullets’ bid to sign Mzuni FC’s Burundian star forward Niyikiza Aimable has hit a snag.

“We established that the player is not a free agent because he went there as a student and that is why he could not be offered a professional contract and he duly signed the league’s registration form which ties him to Mzuni for the entire season.”

He also said the only other loan transfer which could be pending is that of Bullets’ Amos Khamula who is linked with Wizards.

“Wizards also wanted Precious Msosa, but he was on the bench for Wanderers against Bullets on Saturday in a Carlsberg Cup final and the assumption is that it has not worked.

“Otherwise, the other transfers are what I would call minor,” he said.