Clubs Taken by Surprise in Club Licensing- Liwewe Banda

By: Andrew Cane Chilapondwa

The longest-serving football commentator in Malawi Steve Liwewe Banda says local clubs in the country were taken by surprise in the ongoing Club Licensing by Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

On Monday, the FA awarded licenses and provisional licenses to six clubs who have fulfilled some of the requirements in the Club Licensing, with eight clubs being given a four-day ultimatum to complete the mission or risk losing points in the opening games of the league scheduled to kick off in the next 72 hours.

Speaking in mid-week sports, Liwewe Banda said clubs needed enough time before being told to fulfill the process.

“The local clubs needed time before being told to fulfill the requirement. The Club Licensing started in Germany in 2006 just after the FIFA World Cup but our association adopted it in 2015 where clubs were given ultimatums to fulfill the requirements but looking at the level of these clubs, enough time was needed.

I don’t think clubs will be able to meet the requirements in the given four-day period, it’s a very big process that needs months and not days. It was a new thing to them, they were just told by the FA and giving them enough time to complete the process was a must,” he explained.

Moyale Barracks, Civo Service United, Mafco FC, Epac FC, Kamuzu Barracks FC, Red Lions, Azam Tigers and Max Bullets completely failed to meet the requirements on time and were given four days to complete the process before the new season kicks off on Saturday.

Only Mighty Wanderers and Mzuni FC were given licenses while Blue Eagles, Big Bullets, Silver Strikers and Dwangwa United were only given provisional licenses.

FAM made it clear that no team will be allowed to take part in the upcoming new season if Club Licensing requirements are not met before Thursday midnight.

Clubs that will fail to complete the process before the deadline hour will not play in 2016 soccer season but will be accommodated next season.

Clubs are now trying to meet the requirements before Thursday midnight.