Sports and Games

Sulom postpones matches

Sulom postpones matches

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has postponed two TNM Super League matches due to the early departure of the Malawi National Footbal Team to Dakar, Senegal, for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier.

Sulom announced the postponement through a press statement released on Wednesday evening.

“The Super League of Malawi wishes to notify clubs and the general public that due to the early departure of the Malawi National Football Team (the Flames) to Senegal for their away fixture against the Lions of Teranga in TotalEnergies Afcon 2025 qualifiers, the following matches have been postponed to a later date. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement reads.

The matches were between Creck Sporting Club and Silver Strikers at AG Dimba ground in Mchinji District tomorrow and Karonga United and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Karonga ground on Sunday.

However, the development has not pleased Creck, who have described it as frustrating.

The team’s board chairperson Muhammad Selemani said it is disturbing that Sulom made the decision without consulting the stakeholders.

“Sulom’s decisions are affecting us, clubs, differently. I will say without fear that my club has been negatively affected by their decisions. Such postponements would take us out of action for two weeks or more when other teams are busy collecting points.

“For instance, we were forced to play against Moyale in Mzuzu on a Saturday and then played against Bullets on a Wednesday in Blantyre after having played two other away games previously. We were in this situation due to the postponement of our games by Sulom,” Selemani said.

He said at this level of the competition, Sulom should have been making balanced decisions.

“Without fear of contradiction, can Sulom suspend all Super League matches in honour of our national team assignments? This will ensure that principles of fair play are being respected in our game,” Selemani said.

Football analyst Kim Kamau described the development as a dent on Sulom’s capacity to properly administer the top flight league.

“This is not the first time for clubs to complain about fixtures. Silver also lodged a complaint in the first round. It is surprising that matches are being postponed when the Fifa international match period is not open.

“Sulom must be aware that the league has reached its climax and any mistake will result into questions,” Kamau said.

Also postponed is tomorrow’s match between Chitipa United and Moyale Barracks following the death of the former’s assistant coach Gift Mkamanga.

But there will be three matches on Sunday at various venues across the country.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will host Mafco at Kamuzu Stadium while Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos will take on Mighty Tigers at Dedza Stadium.

The other match is between Kamuzu Barracks and Mzuzu City Hammers at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.