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.