By: Andrew Cane Chilapodwa
Newly promoted Chilumba Barracks have been told to pull out from this year’s TNM Premier League by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) due to financial squabbles.
Brigadier General Alick Mhone from MDF told The Malawi Star that they cannot afford to have a fifth team in the league saying they don’t have enough resources to support them.
He also revealed that come next season, only three army teams will be participating in the top flight.
“We had a meeting where we discussed to pull Chilumba Barracks out of the league because of financial squabbles. We cannot have a fifth team in the league; we don’t have resources to support them. We chose Chilumba because they have never played in the league, they just got promoted last season and we thought it wise to take them out before kicking off the new season.
We will only have three teams in the top flight next season, with a team in each region. The team which will not perform well this season will automatically be removed from the league next season,” he said.
However, Brigadier Mhone was quick to reveal that if well-wishers come to their rescue, Chilumba will be allowed to participate. On their part, Chilumba Barracks through Lieutenant Basikolo said his team has welcomed the decision.
“We don’t have any choice but to accept this development. It’s not easy at all but we will consult Karonga people because they are the ones who have been supporting us, so we will ask them if they can financially support in order not to pull out as per demanded by MDF.
If well-wishers come on board, we are certain of participating in the upcoming season,” he said.
Initially, the league had five teams last season but Airborne Rangers got relegated after finishing in the bottom three of the league.
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