By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Central Region 2022/2023 MK15.5 million Chipiku Stores mpira Nkumaka league will kick off on Saturday, April 2,2022 at Lilongwe Community Center ground with the match involving Kamuzu Barracks Youth and Simbi FC.
Despite the communication by the sponsors and CRFA about the kick off unconfirmed reports reveal that four teams including Joseph FC from Mchinji, Dedza Young Soccer, Ascent Academy and Kasungu Police will not participate.
Financial challenges are said to be contributing factors for the teams failing to participate.
Elvis Kafoteka, head coach for Joseph FC, said there is uncertainty whether the team will take part in the league as they are yet to pay the K300,000 affiliation fees and some logistics.
While confirming about the kick off date of the league,Antonio Sanchez Manda, CRF Association Vice General Secretary was non committal commenting further on the matter.
“The four teams you have mentioned have not yet written us,we may have their reports may be in four days to come as of now what we know is that they will participate until they give us official communication”, Manda.
On how many teams who have fully committed themselves by fully paying the MK300,000 affiliation fees, Manda said,he has to consult with the association treasury.
He added that the body is ready to patronize the 2022/2023 season and are expecting it to be a successful one.
The sponsors Chipiku Stores and CRFA conducted draw on March 24,Thursday 2022 at Civo Club House in the Capital, Lilongwe.
Kasungu Police,Joseph FC and Dedza Young Soccer were drawn in group A,alongside 2021 runners up Extreme FC from Mchinji,LUANAR FC,Play Football Malawi and Ngwanje FC.
Ascent Academy is in group B alongside, St Gabriel Medicals, Silver Strikers Reserve, Mbavi United,Simbi FC,Dwangwa United,Kamuzu Barracks Youth and Mitundu Strikers.
