Yona Malunga faces ban over Walter campaign
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says it has summoned flamboyant former Be Forward Wanderers top fan Yona Malunga to appear before a disciplinary hearing for putting on a T-shirt bearing a campaign message during the Blantyre derby involving Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets on Saturday.
Malunga had put on a T-shirt which had campaign message for Football Association of Malawi (FAM) incumbent president Walter Nyamilandu with his image inscribed ‘Walter ayimanso’, which caused a fracas between the incumbent president’s followers and those of FAM vice-president James Mwenda, who is challenging his boss for the hot seat.
Nyamilandu is seeking a fifth term during the December 14 polls in Mangochi.
Prior to the match, Sulom had banned use of campaign materials at football matches ahead of FAM polls.
Malunga apparently entered the stadium without the T-shirt with Walter campaign message but he changed in a stadium toilet.
This caused commotion at Kamuzu Stadium’s VIP stand when some irate fans demanded that Malunga take off the T-shirt.
“ [During the match], the FAM president sent some people to tell Yona to remove the T-shirt and later on Yona called his brothers who caused havoc,” said Sulom general secretary (GS) Williams Banda.
“Sulom condemns this act in strongest terms. We will engage the parties for the best way forward for the betterment of Malawi football.
“Sulom respects the right of every aspiring candidate and will work with other key stakeholders for the integrity of the sport. Sincere apologies to sponsors TNM, government and other VVIP that watched the game. Kindly note that Sulom will endeavour to ensure that football integrity is respected.”
Banda said they will give Malunga a right to be heard.
But Malunga said he was not aware of the ban, saying he could have respected it.
The FAM polls are slated for December 15 in Mangochi and apart from Nyamilandu and Mwenda, others that have expressed interest for presidency are former FAM vice-president Moses Mkandawire, Karonga United chairperson Alufeyo Chipanga Banda and Balawala Vilunga.
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Kodi mukufuna kuti Yona akavale t-shirt ya campaign kuchisoni. M’mesa ku stadium inuyo a FAM mumapezera mwayi watchito ndiponso kuthyola KHOBWE?. Inu a FAM you have lost truck and no knowledge of sportsmanship. asiyileni andale apange ndale inu you must concentrate on promoting football without party politics. Kodi t-shirt ya mpira mukufuna kuti ikavalidwe ku maliro kapena kumsonkhano wa ADADI? Do not mix Party politics and football issues. Apa Yona mulandu alibe ndipo mungotaya ntahwi yanu pachabe m’malo motukula masewelo a mpira mdziko muno. Komanso zadziwika apa kuti gulu lanu lonse likudana ndi Walter Nyamilandu. Chitani manyazi sinkhani yoti Yona… Read more »
Banning wearing of t-shirts with campaign messages for a particular candidate at football events is very illogical, retrogressive and undemocratic strategy aimed at stifling discontent messages. FAM, where do you want people to put on those t-shirts, in church, at funerals, at weddings, etc? I thought it is at football events where the voting affiliates will mostly be found and may gauge the public preferences? This is the just the same as MEC banning donning of political party colours during the campaign period. Musiyeni Yona and remove this ban. Let us ordinary Malawians show the affiliates who is our favourite… Read more »
Nyamilandu has to go… there’s nothing he has done to help changes in Malawi football.. what the group called mpila mmudziwa was supposed to be implemented by him if he could thought of grassroot soccer in Malawi.
koma amangodta ndalama ali phee , people lije malunga we dont need them akuononga zinthu because they are friend if nyamilandu.
Its time now the committee must override some stupid things when done. Follow the will of the people.
NYAMILANDU HAS TO FUCK OFF
Only Yona to be punished? What abt those who flew chairs in the air
ma cadet awa
Akudziwana, ma cadet okhaokha