FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: JANUARY 05, 2021
Ekwendeni Hammers Football Club would like to inform football fraternity and the general
public of the unhealthy experiences the team has been subject to, in some of the
encounters.
In the first place, match against MAFCO at Mzuzu stadium which ended 1 all, the opponent equalised at ninety seventh (97’) minute. This was too much an additional time.
The head coach had his stop watch in check and only four (4) minutes would have been
added on for stoppage time.
During the game against Mighty Tigers, it was discovered that, for some time, our
opponents played with twelve players on the pitch. This is a very unfair conduct in the
game of football. To our surprise, the player who came on without permission was not
even cautioned.
On another hand, very compromised, incompetent and biased officiation was
experienced in the course of playing against Red Lions, where four (4) goals were denied
by the officiating referee, two (2) of which could have been stood. As if that is not
enough, for the same fouls, the central referee was very incompetent and biased to the
advantage of the opponent.
Additionally, the 4th official denied the team manager the substitution forms saying it was
not their duty to provide substitution forms despite, all along, accessing the same from them. It had to take a prolonged negotiation to reach common grounds on how we
would be substituting our players.
The expectation is that match officials shall always be non-compromised individuals,
exercise neutrality and see to it that officiation sanity is being applied to the rest of the
games in the TNM Super League.
Let it be reminded that what is happening is a rape to the very growth that we collectively
ought to register in the Malawian football.
This should send a strong message to match officials so that, at all times, they exercise
professionalism when handling games.
Meanwhile, communication has been made to SULOM, with the hope that they will take
necessary steps to address the issues raised, and that such unfortunate incidences shall be
brought to a halt.
Issued By
ACKIM KAWIRIKIRA LUTEPO
IEKWENDENI HAMMERS FC