The Salima-based Soldiers, Mafco FC, have taken responsibility for their players, Blessings Chanding’ana, Duncan Mwale and Vitumbiko Phiri, after displaying unsportsmanship on-field conduct during their game against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium.
The call for the ban of Mafco FC from the elite league resurfaced after the club was once again involved in malicious conduct in the elite league when their three players deliberately stepped on Bullets’ midfielder Wongani Lungu and seriously injured him.
Surprisingly, referee Cassim Shaibu failed to send off the players for leg-breaking conduct and they were involved in a melee against Bullets players inside the penalty area towards the end of the game. MAFCO’s goal-keeper, Christopher Mikuwa, violently grabbed Chawangwa Gumbo by his neck, and Lungu was left with bruises on his leg, he failed to see off the game as he was replaced by Kenneth Pasuwa in a game in which he displayed the player-of-the-match performance. All these misconducts happened in the views of the referee and camera with only Mikuwa yellow-carded.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Head Coach, Kalisto Pasuwa was left unimpressed with the officiating team on the day saying this season they have been playing against referees not teams.
“I have been seeing this officiating going on and on, and I have been losing players, I have been quiet and I haven’t been talking of anything. You have seen yourself, the officiation is bad, let us protect these players.
“Yes, we haven’t been doing well, but where we need to be protected, let’s protect the players because I’m the one with the players on the ground, if I keep on losing them, I’m the one to be affected, this must stop,” said the Zimbabwean gaffer.
In 2022, former Mzuzu City Hammers coach, Etson-Kadenge Mwafulirwa called for Mafco FC to play in their own league singling out only three players. “Mafco have brilliant players in the names of their captain, Paul Ndlovu and Dan Chimbalanga but the rest are ruthless animals. I think Sulom should create a special League for Mafco. They kept on injuring my players through the game.”
Mafco FC were also involved in malicious conduct when they deliberately injured Blue Eagles midfielder, Micium Mhone.
Mafco FC to investigate and punish three players
Captain, Paul Ndlovu on Monday morning issued an apology to both Wongani Lungu and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets for the behavior of his fellow players saying he feels bad with what happened.
“We are Sorry to the Bullets Family and Wongani Lungu as well on what happened during our match, as a captain i really feel it was bad. Being a leader in a field of play i was suppose to control the tempers for my players as well, but it happens in football, We are one. Wish him a quick recovery.” Said Ndhlovu.
Mafco FC have promised to conduct investigation into the matter and said they will deal with the players for their conduct saying they condemn the act in strongest terms.
“The behavior displayed by these players is unacceptable and not representative of the sportsmanship and respect that Mafco FC values. It offends the very essence of the game of football including the spirit of fair play and competitiveness that Mafco FC propagates,” reads the media release in part.
The club takes full responsibility of the players act and will take disciplinary actions within the confines of the applicable rules and regulations . Mafco FC said they are committed towards reviving, reforming and rebranding the Super League, a move which is being championed by the Super League of Malawi and as such, will endeavor to complete fairly while upholding the rules of the game.
“We sincerely offer our apologies to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Family in general and, to Mr. Wongani Lungu. We wish Mr. Wongani Lungu the best of luck as he recovers injury sustained during this unfortunate incident. We look forward to our continued cooperation and collaboration with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and all other Super League Clubs,” adds the media release.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Mafco FC after the game, thanks to Maxwell Gastin Phodo’s early goal that powered them to just seven points from the second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and 12 points from the league leaders, Silver Strikers.
