Official: Wizards Back in the Top Flight

By: Andrew Cane Chilapondwa

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has confirmed that Wizards FC are back in the top flight following Dedza Young Soccer’s decision to withdraw from the promotion play offs aimed at identifying the 16th team for the upcoming 2016 season.

Speaking during an interview with on The Malawi Star on Tuesday, Dedza General Secretary Harold Mmora confirmed the development saying the club will maintain its stand of not taking part in the splay offs.

“We have communicated with Sulom that we will not take part in the promotion play offs. We will go back to Chipiku League and then bounce back but we are not taking part,” he said.

He further revealed that the restraining order which is currently at Lilongwe High Court will be vacated by the club within this week.

“We will vacate the injunction this week,” said Mmora.

Commenting on the latest development, Sulom’s Vice President Daud Suleiman said Wizards FC have automatically earned promotion since they won their opening game against Airborne Rangers before the injunction was served.

“Wizards FC are back into the top flight because Dedza Young Soccer have officially communicated with our secretariate that they won’t be taking part in the promotion play offs.”

“As such, Wizards have been promoted since they won 2-1 against Airborne Rangers in the opening match before the injunction was served so they are back,” he said.

On his part, Wizards FC owner Peter Mponda said he is happy that his side are back into the top flight.

“We are yet to be officially communicated but we have just been told that we are back into the top flight following Dedza Young Soccer’ decision to pull out from the promotion play offs.”

“We are very happy that we are back in the league. This time around, we want to remain in the league for good. We will try our level best to win games in order to survive,” he said.

On Club Licensing, Mponda said: “We started the process way back before we got relegated, we will just work out on the remaining areas so that we meet the requirements.”

Dedza obtained a Court Order restraining Sulom from going ahead with the play offs saying they deserved an automatic place in the league because they finished on 13th position with 29 points.

Justice Charles Mkandawire then ordered Sulom to hear Dedza Young Soccer’ grievances before going ahead with the play offs.

However, Dedza lost the case when Sulom’s appeals committee ruled that the body made no mistake by coming up with the play offs decision saying it was constitutional.