By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The match-fixing allegations that have marred the Central region football association Chipiku Premier division are expected to delay the completion of the league.
Initially, the league was scheduled to conclude on Sunday, December 14, 2024, with a match between the two title contenders Kawinga FC and Namitete Zitha FC.
However, this match was postponed until the investigations of the match-fixing allegations involving the above-mentioned teams and Ngolowindo FC were concluded.
CRFA postponed the final match after receiving a complaint from Namitete Zitha alleging their fellow title contenders Kawinga bribed Ngolowindo not to come to Lilongwe to honor their fixture.
As per some reports, it is alleged that Kawinga officials gave money to the Ngolowindo players and officials so they do not travel and play Namitete Zitha.
Likumbo FC owner and director Rashid Likumbo claimed that his seven players who are on loan to Ngolowindo told him about the failed trip to Lilongwe.
To make matters more complicated, Ngolowindo FC General Secretary Idrisah Adam also implicated Namitete Zitha, saying they are the ones who sent them money amounting to MK200,000 for logistics so that they travel to Lilongwe and lost the match with a wider margin so that the Namitete based outfit reduces the goal difference against Kawinga.
“We have failed to honor fixtures before against Leyman Panthers, Kawinga FC because of the financial hiccups currently faced by the team.
“Indeed Zitha offered us logistics and some money to other players but we sent their money back. We have evidence if needed we are ready to provide that”, Adam spoke to Blantyre Synod Radio reporter Elick Elalio.
Reacting to such strong allegations, the Central Region Football Association (CRFA) instituted investigations to know who the real culprits were and if indeed the malpractice had taken place.
In the process, the body has charged Ngolowindo FC for failing to honor the fixture against Namitete as the investigations are still underway.
Acting General Secretary for CRFA Antonio Manda has since asked all stakeholders to remain calm as the process continues. It is now almost two weeks since the body started its investigations.
Kawinga FC is topping the 12-team log table with 50 points from 21 games having won 15 games, drawn 5, and lost 1 with a goal difference of 35, whereas second-placed Namitete Zitha FC have managed to collect 47 points and they are 3 points draft leaders having won 14 games, drawn 5 and lost 2.
In their final match, Namitete Zitha needs to score over five goals past Kawinga FC if they are to be champions of the league.
While Kawinga a draw or a loss with less than that margin will see them winning the title and earning Malawi’s elite league promotion.
Sports analyst Charles Nyirenda says “, Match-fixing in itself is toxic for football and any hint of it taking place deserves a thorough probe. I only hope that CRFA will investigate the matter and establish if the allegations are true so that appropriate action can be taken”.
