Despite clinching the Chipiku Stores Central Region Football Association (CRFA) Premier Division title, Kawinga FC faces uncertainty regarding their TNM Super League promotion, as the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) holds the key to their fate. The revelation came after the CRFA found Kawinga FC, St Gabriel Zitha (runners-up), and Ngolowindo FC guilty of match-fixing.
Kawinga FC secured their championship with a convincing 4-1 victory over St Gabriel Zitha at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe, finishing atop the 12-team league with a six-point lead and 53 accumulated points. The league awarded them 21 points due to other teams’ failure to fulfill fixtures.
CRFA Acting General Secretary Antonio Manda stated, “As CRFA, we have concluded our league fixtures and the recent match-fixing case. We have come up with a verdict. We have done our part, and it is now up to our mother body, FAM, to determine whether Kawinga deserves a place in the top-flight league based on their analysis of circumstances surrounding their title triumph.”
CRFA has imposed fines of K500,000 each on Kawinga and Zitha, with a 36-month ban from football-related activities as an alternative if the fines are not paid within 14 days. Ngolowindo has received a direct 36-month ban for failing to fulfill a fixture against Zitha FC.
Individuals implicated in the match-fixing scandal, including Ngolowindo chairperson Ibrahim Omar, general secretary Idrissa Adam, Zitha GS Wellingtone Nzunga, and team manager Ringo Kanshulu, face bans ranging from 48 to 60 months from football activities.
FAM competitions and marketing committee chairperson Felister Dossi emphasized that a determination on Kawinga’s TNM Super League promotion awaits the CRFA’s report on the league’s conclusion. She expressed the association’s commitment to expedite the process, recognizing the urgency due to ongoing club licensing considerations.
Kawinga’s triumph on Sunday, marked by Rahim Mtondera’s brace and goals from Lazarus Chirwa and Imran Awali, now hangs in the balance. FAM first vice-president Christopher Kuyera announced plans for a refresher course for football administrators to enhance their capabilities in handling match-fixing-related issues. Chipiku Stores Central Region manager Dennis Kamnyamata, as sponsors, expressed satisfaction with the league’s management
