As the TNM Super League title race enters its final stretch, the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has come under criticism for inconsistencies in both the number of games played and venues.
Some teams have as many as six more fixtures than others while the home-and-away allocations are also uneven.
Leaders FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Wanderers are tied at the top on 56 points from 25 matches each.
On the other hand, Silver Strikers are third and were playing their 24th game yesterday.
But beyond the disparity in matches played, the remaining home-and-away schedules paint an even more unbalanced picture.
Wanderers will play all their remaining five matches at home, hosting Ekhaya FC, Moyale Barracks, Karonga United, Civil Service United and Kamuzu Barracks at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Nomads’ rivals Bullets have three away fixtures against Karonga United, Mighty Tigers and Moyale and two home games against Ekhaya FC and Mzuzu City Hammers.
On their part, Silver have three home matches against Songwe Border United, Hammers and Blue Eagles as well as three away at Mafco, Karonga United and Ekhaya FC.
Football analyst Twaha Chimuka said these irregularities in both the number of games played and home-away distribution, is a sign of incompetence.
He said: “It’s a serious problem. Basically, our way of scheduling games is controlled with interest and not fairness. In most cases, some games are scheduled especially, at the start and towards the end of the season based on how tough or weak the opponent is when the team faces them away or home.
“There are also times when teams are given a run of more home games in the first round just to ensure that they collect maximum points so that the team will not suffer chasing points later in the second round.”
The inconsistencies extend beyond the title contenders and stretch all the way to bottom of the table.
Mafco and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos have played 28 matches, the highest, followed by Chitipa United, Mighty Tigers, Hammers and Songwe United on 27. Most teams fall between 25 and 26 matches.
Civil Service United and Kamuzu Barracks have played 26 while Karonga United, Blue Eagles and Creck SC join Bullets and Wanderers on 25.
Moyale and Ekhaya are just above on the low end with 24 games played.
Chimuka said this should not happen wherere the legaue even number of teams.
He said: “This is the case of poor management. It is pure incompetence.
“As a result, the title may be shaped not by teams’ ability, but by scheduling of matches.”
Another analyst, Kevin Moyo, urged Sulom to learn from the newly-introduced Football Association of Malawi (FAM)–administered NBS National Division League.
He said: “The NBS National Division League is a good example of how a top league fixtures should be handled. At all times, teams have played equal number of games.”
Moyo echoed Chimuka’s concerns, saying Sulom fixtures are vulnerable to manipulation.
He said: “Putting up a robust and free from manipulation TNM Super League fixture is proving to be a problem.
“Football stakeholders only look at the big three, namely Silver, Bullets, Wanderers as the only important teams in the league. It is high time all the 16 teams should be treated equally.”
He said Sulom cannot attribute the fixture mess to Wanderers and Silver’s participation in CAF club competitions..
“The inconsistences involve a lot of teams,” he said.
Sulom vice-general secretary Donnex Chilonga yesterday asked for more time to consult.
