TNM plc yesterday managed to avoid an embarrassing situation of kicking off the 2025 TNM Super League before paying last season’s prize money to clubs.
The mobile network operator delayed payment of the prizes for three months due to what it described as logistical challenges.
The delay drew concerns from clubs wh, argued that it would affect the value of the money due to devaluation.
There were also fears that the 2025 TNM Super League season would kick off tomorrow before TNM settles the prizes.
However, in an interview yesterday TNM marketing director Sobhuza Ngwenya confirmed settling the dues.
He said: “The prizes money has been paid. The process is that the money is paid to Sulom [Super League of Malawi], who in turn remit to the clubs, players and coaches who won individuals awards. Journalists who won the media awards have also been paid.
As champions, Silver Strikers are expected to get K100 million, their runners-up Wanderers will receive K40 million while FCB Nyasa Bullets, who finished third, will take home K30 million.
There are also individual prizes, including Player of the Season George Chikooka of Silver Strikers set to get K3 million, golden boot winner Isaac Kaliyati of Wanderers getting K2 million.
This means TNM has paid over K170 million for the prizes.
Sulom vice-general secretary Donnex Chilonga in an interview confirmed receiving the payment.
He said: “We have already started disbursing the funds. Some will get the money today [Thursday] depending on their banks.
“But by tomorrow [Friday], everyone will have received their money.”
Silver chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba in an interview yesterday said Sulom communicated that they had wired the money.
He said: “We were told they have paid the money. But we are yet to receive it.”
His counterpart at Wanderers Panganeni Ndovi also said they were yet to get the money.
.
