By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The four Central Region Premier division league sides Extreme FC, St Gabriel Medicals FC, Kawinga FC and Ekas Freight Wanderers FC have shown dissatisfaction over the new format of Nyasa Capital Finance Cup.
The 2022 MK8.3 million Nyasa Capital Finance Cup in the Central region lived up to it’s billing as it reached the semifinals on Wednesday.
However, Central Region Football Association (CRFA) indicated that teams which reach semifinals of the cup will play each other on home and away basis to identify the champion.
The teams are in disagreement of the new format appealing to the body to maintain the cup’s initial format.
Teams highlighted high cost of expenditures,financial crisis,fatigue in players as they are also playing week in and week out in Chipiku Premier Division league.
Extreme FC General Secretary Kondwani Kayira said teams are going through financial crisis and to fulfill Chipiku fixtures is becoming tough hence to add Nyasa Capital Finance Cup games will be a burden.
“CRFA should think again about this decision, we are struggling already in Premier league games,let’s maintain the cup format.
“As Extreme FC we are prepared to win the cup as we take every game that comes on our way seriously”, Kayira Said.
Martin Mthetho Mkamanga of St Gabriel Medicals FC and Harry Said of Kawinga FC concurred with Kayira saying players are having more games already in Premier division.
The teams are going through financial crisis hence it would be better if they just played the remaining two games, semifinal and final.
“Look at the prize monies at stake, now if we can count on how much the teams will to spend on transport, food and allowances for players if we play home and away. It will be much than what we will earn”, said Mkamanga.
When Maravipost called the General Secretary for CRFA Bernard Harawa to hear from their side.
He said there was a need for collective decision making hence teams have to wait for the committee to meet and map the way forward.
Maravi Post however has learnt that team from Mchinji to fulfill a fixture in Lilongwe or Salima spend not less than MK400,000 for transport, food and allowances for the players.
The champion of the cup will get MK1.5 million, a Trophy and medals, number 2 will walk home with MK600,000 while number 3 and 4 will get MK250,000 and MK150,000 respectively.
